As summer gave way to fall, the Newbury Historical Society took a moment to reflect on the lives that shaped our town’s past. At the So Long Summer, Hello Fall festival in Wells River, visitors were invited to experience a quiet and meaningful tribute: a photo display of gravestones from cemeteries throughout Newbury, thoughtfully curated and created by Aroline Putnam.

The images, gathered from Boltonville, Cheney Four Corners, Jefferson Hill, Limekiln, New Oxbow, Oxbow, Page Hill, Rogers Hill, Town House, Wells River, and West Newbury cemeteries, revealed more than names and dates—they offered glimpses into personal histories, local traditions, and the artistry of remembrance.

Gravestones are, in their own way, storytellers. Some are grand, others humble. Some are weather-worn, others carefully preserved. But each marks a life that mattered—a thread in the larger fabric of Newbury’s history.

This display was not only a chance to honor those who came before us, but also a reminder of the responsibility we carry: to care for these burial grounds, to preserve their stories, and to recognize the deep roots they represent in our shared landscape.

To everyone who took a moment to pause, reflect, or share a memory—thank you. These small acts of remembrance help keep the past, present, and the spirit of our community strong.