I raved about this book on Thursday. Now that I’ve finished This Place of Silence: Ohio’s Cemeteries and Burial Grounds, I haven’t changed my opinion. This beautifully photographed book, with text by Robin L. Smith, combines two of my interests, cemeteries and history. Photographers Ian Adams and Randall Lee Schieber divided Ohio in two by north and south and photographed various cemeteries throughout the state.

I do have a minor quibble. With an estimated 17,072 cemeteries statewide, the book did get a little repetitive at times. The photographers seemed to have favorite cemeteries and views, so they photographed them over and over at the expense of others. While Schieber seemed to love all the angels in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery County, and photographed them multiple times at sunset, there are smaller cemeteries throughout the state that are also interesting. I understand the importance of the large cemeteries in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, ones that are also arboretums, But, smaller cemeteries, such as McPherson Cemetery in Clyde, Ohio, also have historical significance, and historical personages buried there.

And, that’s just one cemetery that I’m familiar with. I’m sure there are others throughout the state that are significant, and are photogenic.

But, that’s a small complaint. The photographers, naturally, couldn’t get to every cemetery. Their choices are beautiful. The book includes Native American and early burial grounds, the evolution of cemeteries, the statues and symbols. Smith discusses the various cemeteries that were built for specific religious groups and races. There’s even a section about pet cemeteries in Ohio.

There’s a guide to cemeteries at the back, broken down by county. Of course, it only lists a few cemeteries in each county. And, in Ohio, with all its farms and backroads, there are small cemeteries on farms or out in the middle of nowhere that may only be located because someone knows of them, or can find them through Find a Grave. I’ve been to some of those in Seneca and Sandusky County, small cemeteries in the middle of a field.

That’s part of the charm of the book. There’s so much serendipity, surprises as you turn the page and discover a new cemetery and the history behind it. If you have any interest in Ohio cemeteries, you might want to pick up this new book. I’m grateful my sister thought I’d enjoy it.

This Place of Silence: Ohio’s Cemeteries and Burial Grounds. Photographs by Ian Adams and Randall Lee Schieber. Text by Robin L. Smith. Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 2024. ISBN 9780804012522 (paperback), 250p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book as a gift.