May 3rd: a perfect, sunny spring day— the kind where the entire world seemed to be painted in shades of bright green. While many might consider it a perfect day to go to a park, Nancy Neuman would suggest otherwise. For the former president of the Lewisburg Cemetery Association board, graveyards are an essential part of a thriving community. “I consider a cemetery kind of a living thing,” she says of the daily functions of the space. “This place is like a big public park. Students are always walking through here, a lot of classes come here… and people are always walking their dogs… it’s an interesting place”.
Yet, while the public takes full advantage of the greenery and beauty of the area, there also is a unique opportunity to learn about the community’s collective past. “I think people want to know more about the history of the area, and this cemetery kind of encompasses the local history,” says Neuman. Ensuring that important figures and events are memorialized in public art form is a means of ensuring the preservation of history.
The Lewisburg Graveyard is home to the graves of many prominent Civil War soldiers, several of whom attended Bucknell University, then the University of Lewisburg. The grave of Andrew G. Tucker is a particularly prominent one, being the first Bucknell student to be killed in battle. On July 1, 1863, Tucker was felled by a bullet while fighting on horseback in Gettysburg. Although he was able to last four days in the Seminary Hospital, his wounds eventually became deadly as he was overtaken by his injuries. He died on July 5th and was temporarily buried in Gettysburg. After the battle had concluded, his mother traveled to the wartorn fields to bring his body home to Lewisburg. He was reburied in the Lewisburg Cemetery, where he still rests today.
However, the cemetery is home to not only graves, but a number of monuments as well. Tucker also has a monument dedicated to him: a tall, obelisk made of zinc. These monuments were popular at the time, as they were inexpensive and often marketed as marble. Although the material that was used instead ended up being rather inexpensive in comparison, the monuments have lasted surprisingly long— proved by the fact that it is still standing today.
Accompanying Mrs. Tucker to exhume the body of her fallen son was Justin Loomis, the acting president of Bucknell at the time. Loomis is also buried in the cemetery, just a stone’s throw away from his former pupil. His grave is far more ornate— consisting of a tall granite corinthian column. In 2014, a portion of the monument was restored thanks to collaboration from Bucknell University, explaining the different coloration of the separate pieces. “It had a red slate on the side, and it was just peeling. And different board members spoke to Bucknell over the years, and there just didn’t seem to be any interest,” Neuman explained. “And then President Bravman came and one of our board members, who was the head of facilities at Bucknell, talked to him about restoring it without having to do the whole thing, which would be prohibitive. And this architect designed a new top for it, and President Bravman helped pay for it which was so appreciated”.
Soldier and Bucknell alum Thomas Chamberlain also has a notable monument— an obelisk with a wreath chiseled into the side. Chamberlain also served during the Battle of Gettysburg, and suffered a serious casualty not far from where Andrew Tucker was wounded. However, he was ultimately able to overcome his injuries, and was able to live until 1917. He spent the rest of his years in Philadelphia with his wife, often writing and speaking about the valor of Pennsylvanian infantries during the conflict.
From the moment of entry into the Lewisburg Cemetery, visitors are aware of the storied history of the site— from the pile of authentic cannonballs that are stacked neatly near the entrance to the wreaths that still decorate the graves of those who served. The memories of those who fought valiantly for freedom and liberty live on in the obelisks and monuments that now decorate the vast expanse of land. If a funeral is a celebration for the living, then a graveyard is their garden.
Full Interview with Nancy Neuman
Recommended Reading/Works Cited
- https://unioncountyhistoricalsociety.org/Accounts/Oct2015/4%20Dunkerly%204.pdf
- https://magazine.bucknell.edu/issue/summer-2020/a-history-of-disruptions/
- https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/edu/bu_history_old/photo_history/1895/President_Loomis.html
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