The Rural Cemetery Movement & Albany Rural Cemetery’s Role

History & Genealogy program for adults. Registration is required. Capacity has been reached; additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist.

The Rural Cemetery Movement began in Europe with garden cemeteries at the beginning of the 19th century and subsequently spread to America. This presentation will explore the many factors that drove the movement and the mark it left on cities across the U.S. The founding and early development of Albany Rural Cemetery, which exemplifies the best characteristics of a Rural Cemetery, will be discussed in the context of the movement.

Michael and Lynn Radlick are long-standing historical researchers and taphophiles (persons who love cemeteries). They have both researched, written, and presented on Albany Rural Cemetery for over 30 years. Michael is currently Vice-President of the Colonie Historical Society, serves on the Board of the Friends of the Albany Rural Cemetery, and is an educational researcher. Lynn was a biology professor at Siena College and later spent the last ten years of her professional career as a professor at RPI in Troy. Both Michael and Lynn have doctorates from RPI.

Reasonable accommodations are available by request. Please contact the library directly.