Preserve Montrepose Cemetery with Historical Tours

In an effort to chronicle Kingston's rich local history using new technology and preserve crumbling headstones, Montrepose Cemetery is fundraising to produce on-site programming, tours, and events.

Up until the last century, a cemetery used to be a communal space to grieve, share stories, and celebrate life.

Montrepose Cemetery is more than just a final resting spot for our loved ones: it's a local history lesson, a year-round garden, a wildlife sanctuary, and a place for reflection and solitude. That makes it all that more important that we preserve the landscape and the monuments for all to enjoy for years to come.

Our first project will be an "Artists and Authors Tour" produced by "Gravesider" for their forthcoming augmented reality mobile app launching in late 2025.

When the cemetery is open, visitors will be able to scan various headstones with their mobile phones to see historical re-enactments by Hudson Valley actors in period costumes.

Famous artists and authors depicted will include the architect and landscape designer of Central Park, Calvert Vaux; Hudson River School painter, Jervis McEntee; illustrator of Harper's Magazine and suffragette, Mary Ellen Sigsbee Fischer; poet Jeneverah M. Winton; and "The Shadow" comic series author, Walter B. Gibson.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will cover production, research, actors' salaries, costumes, editing, and advertising to the community once the augmented reality tour is produced.

Everyone that donates to the fundraiser will receive early access to the augmented reality tour.

We greatly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you once the AR tour has launched later in the year!