David Oat Art Talk: Colonial Gravestones & The Stories They Tell

Join us at the Lyme Art Association for an art talk with David Oat and learn about colonial gravestones and the stories they tell.

A native of Southeastern Connecticut, David Oat is the cemetery and burial grounds historian for the Norwich Historical Society and board member for the Connecticut Gravestones Network. Researching New England’s Colonial burial grounds has been his passion for many years. “I’m fascinated by the art, spirituality and human history of these sacred places. Colonial burial grounds are actually outdoor museums reflecting New England’s early Colonial history. Each headstone represents the handiwork of an individual craftsman. Explore these
places and you will find art, genealogy, our countries first sculpture and a chronology of Puritan religious beliefs.” David has consulted with many local organizations interested in the preservation of local Colonial burial grounds or restoration of their hand cut monuments.