Today
Hope Cemetery has since grown in size to 65 acres (26 ha), and there are more than 10,000 tombstones and memorials located inside. All of its stones are made from "Barre Grey" granite. The cemetery is a common tourist destination, and has been referred to as a "'Museum' of granite sculpture," the "Uffizi of Necropolises", by Vermont folklorist Joseph A. Citro, a "Gallery of granite artistry," a "sculpture garden" and a "Huge outdoor museum." Guided tours are available for a small fee, but driving or walking through the cemetery to look at the sculptures and memorials is common practice and encouraged.
It is still possible for ornate and unusual tombstones to be put into Hope Cemetery. These large memorials can range in cost from US$20,000 - 30,000+. Simple headstones cost about $2,000.
Hope is the largest of three cemeteries managed by the city of Barre. It was featured in a story run by the Associated Press, and was also featured in a segment in National Geographic on cities and towns in America. Additionally, the cemetery was among those profiled in the 2005 PBS documentary A Cemetery Special.
Read more about this topic: Hope Cemetery
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