The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne each week as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.

Recent Episodes

March 14, 2024

Episode 175 - Part 1: Cemeteries of the Honorable, Forgotten and Unknown with Avrohom Krauss

In this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne, along with special guest Avrohom Krauss, an educator, genealogist, and speaker specializing in Jewish resources and cemetery research, delve into the…
March 6, 2024

Episode 174 - Echoes of History: Gettysburg Unveiled with Tim Smith

Jennie and Dianne dive into history with special guest Tim Smith, the Director of Education for the Adams County Historical Society and town historian at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This week, Tim unfolds captivating tales of …
Feb. 29, 2024

Episode 173 - Crowning Glory Part 2: Maurice Breen in Dayton Ohio's Calvary Cemetery

Jennie and Dianne return to Dayton Ohio's Calvary Cemetery, this time to visit the grave of Maurice Breen, an Irish immigrant who spent some of his early years in America helping those who were enslaved to escape to freedom …
Feb. 22, 2024

Episode 172 - Crowning Glory Part 1: Dayton Ohio's Calvary Cemetery

This episode is part one of at least two episodes covering one of Dayton, Ohio's largest green spaces, Calvary Cemetery. Founded in 1872 to accommodate three Catholic parishes that grew out of the German, Irish, Polish, Hung…
Feb. 15, 2024

Episode 171 - Madam with a Heart: Durango, Colorado's Bessie Rivers

Love is in the air this week as Jennie and Dianne share the story of a woman who led, shall we say, an alternative life as madam Bessie Rivers, and despite her unconventional  path, found love and respect among many in her c…
Feb. 8, 2024

Episode 170 - Love Amidst the Wreckage: The Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Tragedy

Jennie and Dianne relate a gripping yet heart-wrenching chapter of circus history that led to the first burials at Showmen's Rest in Chicago's beautiful Woodlawn Memorial Park. Listen in as they spotlight the Hagenbeck-Walla…

Recent Blog Posts

The Symbolism and Reverence of Mary Statues in Catholic Cemeteries

(This "Tidbit" is meant to explain some of the significance of Mary in the Catholic belief, but it is by no means a complete understanding of her importance to the Catholic faith.) If you have ever visited a Catholic cemetery or even a Catholic gra…

The Unconventional Romance of the Wild West

In honor of Valentine's Day this week, we take a quick look at love and lust that helped to shape many western states in the 18 and early 1900s. In the untamed days of the Wild West, brothels played a significant role in the settlement of frontier t…

Symbolism of Holly, Ivy, and Evergreen in Christmas Celebrations & Cemeteries

"The holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ On Christmas Day in the morn." - The Holly and The Ivy, a traditional Christmas carol Christmas Day is fast approaching and the vibrant hues of holly, ivy, and eve…

About the Hosts

Dianne HartshornProfile Photo

Dianne Hartshorn

Co-Host

As founder and director of the Evergreen Heritage Dianne Hartshorn is capable, knowledgeable and dedicated as a custodian of Colorado Springs history and in assisting the cemetery with their pioneer heritage. Her knowledge of and dedication to Victorian history and traditions is inspiring and educational. Dianne has two grown children and lives with her husband Tom of 35 years and her awesome cat Loki. She is a 4th generation Colorado native and enjoys nothing more than sharing history especially if cemeteries are involved!

Jennie JohnsonProfile Photo

Jennie Johnson

Creator & Host

Jennie has been in love with cemeteries and their stories since she was a teenager. She has taken thousands of photographs of historic headstones and the nature that inhabits cemeteries and graveyards. While she is not a history major, she is a history buff and loves to do research on all kinds of historical people and events. She was once locked into a museum (at the curator's request. He had an urgent coffee matter to attend to) and it was a dream come true! Jennie's dad is a retired Navy Senior Chief which means she spent her childhood living in different parts of the United States and ultimately developed a love of travel. She has also been involved in theater since she was 12 years old. She enjoys being on stage, but in recent years has developed a passion for directing and script writing. She has three awesome kids who are all grown or nearly so and is married to a Radio DJ/music programer who also loves playing pinball. She adores her black cat named Salem after her favorite city in the whole world, Salem, Massachusetts.

 

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Caught up on Episodes of The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery? Looking for something new to listen to until next Thursday? Try one of these (or all of these) fun, informational, and historical podcasts. 

🪦 Tomb with a View Podcast https://linktr.ee/tombwith_aview

🪦New England Legends Podcast https://ournewenglandlegends.com/

🪦Salem the Podcast https://www.salemthepodcast.com/

🪦Rebel at Large Podcast https://rebelatlarge.com/

🪦 Cemetery Podcast http://www.necrotourist.com/