Hidden Cenotaph, in Tamworth New Hampshire
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7Today we’re taking another look at Tamworth NH
First! You may be wondering what the heck a Cenotaph is. Also, what does that have to do with fall foliage? The simple answer is, that it is all a part of exploring. You might also ask, What is the difference between a tombstone and a Cenotaph?
A tombstone is where someone is buried and A Cenotaph is a memorial to commemorate someone who isn’t buried there. The Witch Trials Memorial in Salem Massachusetts is an example of a Cenotaph because the victims of the witch trials are not buried there. Outside the Witch Trial memorial is the Old Burying ground and the headstone for Simon Forrester is there he also lays there, so that is a tombstone.
And you thought you would learn only fall foliage-related things on this site… 🙂
First, you will set your destination for Tamworth (south of Chocorua a mile or so) and look for the intersection of routes 16 and 113. I know Chocorua Park and the pond are right there but that will be discussed in another article. So at the intersection of 16 and 113, you will turn west on Route 113.
So you will head west on 113 but it splits off and Page Hill Road will be in front of you. You can take EITHER road because they will join back up after a mile or so. Either way, you go, you will travel for about 2.6 miles till it intersects with 113A. I want you to go straight across and now you are on Cleveland Hill Road. You have several options here since there are several small stores in the town to explore. Again, I will cover this more in another article.
Downtown Tamworth, explore if you have time
Explore a Cenotaph in Tamworth New Hampshire
To be honest you will leave the “Downtown” behind and in a little while (I know it’s not very exact sounding) but I don’t remember how far it was. Maybe a mile at most. You will find on the right a “Cenotaph” for Samuel Hidden who was a Pastor in these parts in the mid-1800s.
I don’t know the full history but you can read NH magazine about it, if interested. I didn’t know it was here and I just had to stop. How many memorials do you find on top of an enormous boulder with steps carved in the granite and placed so we all can climb to the top and read his epitaph?
I hope you find things like this interesting because this makes my travels in New England something special to share with all of you.
See you then! Happy foliage hunting!
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Nice article Jeff, I never knew even what a Cenotaph was let alone there was one in Tamworth, it’s on my list when I head back up to my place in September. Tamworth Pond is awesome, the sunrise usually hits the dam perfectly as I got some great shots this past winter.
Thanks, Jeff! My wife and I live in Tampa, but we head up to VT or the White Mountains every Oct – we look forward to reading your post all year long – they always contain some “gems” that send us scurrying to our maps and give us something new to consider incorporating into our next visit. Enjoy your summer!
Well, you learn something new everyday! I have to admit I never heard of a cenotaph until now. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely check out the memorial to Samuel Hidden this October.
I travel to this area, mostly in the summer, and confess that I am sad to see any cenotaph involving the witch trials, as I descend from the hanging judge. But if it’s too hot at the Madison bean hole supper, I’ll look for these.
That’s ok, I descend from Bethsheba Pope (maiden name Folger) who was a witch accuser.
I’ve been here! Its called Ordination Rock. I didn’t know what a cenotaph was so thank you for that:) I posted a photo of this to my flickr account and someone left me this link with a lot of information about it and Tamworth in general if you are interested http://seacoastnh.com/arts/please101501.html Just thought I’d share!
thanks and a very good writer as well…!