Archaeology Month event at Tolomato Cemetery

Northeast Region Outreach Coordinator Amber Grafft-Weiss, representing the Florida Public Archaeology Network, encouraged all Historic City News readers to participate in this week’s Tolomato Cemetery “Lunch and Learn”.

Tolomato is the oldest extant planned cemetery in Florida, starting life as a mission Indian village and eventually becoming the parish cemetery for what is now the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine.

And this Wednesday, as part of the celebration of Florida Archaeology Month, Tolomato Cemetery Steward Elizabeth Gessner says, “Join me on Wednesday, March 23rd from noon until 1:00 p.m. for a special walking tour — and be sure to pack a lunch.” Time is allowed after the tour for photography.

Tolomato Cemetery is located in St. Augustine at 16 Cordova Street — about one block south of the Visitor Information Center and Parking Garage, just beyond the Old Drug Store. The cemetery was closed to new burials in 1884 and has been closed to the public for many years.

Last November, Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association began holding visitors days; opening one Saturday per month, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Guided visits are free of charge, although visitors are encouraged to offer a donation. All money goes to the preservation and restoration of the cemetery.

For more information on this and other Florida Archaeology Month events, visit www.flpublicarchaeology.org and check the Northeast Region events page.