Local students from South Junior High School recently embarked on an educational journey through the historic Pittsfield Cemetery, an initiative designed to enrich their social studies curriculum. The cemetery, which covers 130 acres and was dedicated on September 9, 1850, serves as an outdoor classroom where students can learn about the area’s history and its notable residents.
During the tour, guide Steve Plumhoff engaged a group of 25 eighth-grade students by sharing intriguing facts about the cemetery, including that approximately 49,000 people are interred there. “That means there’re about 49,000 graves,” a student observed, to which Plumhoff responded, “Head of the class.” This visit marked the 16th of 21 planned tours, aimed at integrating local history into the students’ education.
The initiative, implemented by Louis J. Hebert, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and development, aligns with the eighth-grade social studies course titled “From Subject to Citizen.” This program traces American thought and political developments from the Elizabethan era through the colonial period to independence. Hebert’s inspiration for the tours came after participating in a historic cemetery tour organized by the city Bicentennial Commission on June 8, where he recognized the potential for students to connect with their heritage.
Chosen to guide the tours, 42 honors students from Taconic and Pittsfield High Schools received training from local gravestone expert and amateur historian Stephen D. Budrow. Budrow also created a student guidebook that includes profiles of prominent Pittsfield residents, epitaphs, and other informative details about the cemetery.
Hebert noted the positive feedback from both students and teachers, stating, “Not only have students learned, but teachers as well.” Many educators view these tours as extracurricular, enhancing the students’ learning experience outside the traditional classroom environment. The initiative has sparked enough interest among some students that they wish to return and explore specific epitaphs and unique monuments, such as the mausoleum of Gordon McKay. McKay, who revolutionized the shoe industry and left over $25 million to Harvard University at his death in 1903, has become a point of fascination for many.
As the tours continue through the following week, over 1,000 students will have participated in this immersive educational experience. The Pittsfield Cemetery not only serves as a resting place for its many inhabitants but also as a testament to the rich history of the area, offering a unique opportunity for students to learn and engage with their local heritage.
