Hillside's May Newsletter
May
1
to Jun 30

Hillside's May Newsletter

  • Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Dear Friends,

Spring has arrived at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum, bringing new blooms, fresh projects, and a renewed sense of activity across the grounds. In this May newsletter, we highlight recent arboretum updates, restoration efforts, upcoming tours and community programs, and ways to get involved as we continue to preserve and celebrate this special place together.

Please enjoy reading the May 2026 newsletter! Hillside’s May Newsletter

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Revolutionary War Patriot Marker Campaign
Jun
6
to Oct 16

Revolutionary War Patriot Marker Campaign

Honor a Revolutionary War Patriot

As part of America's 250th anniversary, Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum is working to identify and mark the graves of Revolutionary War Patriots buried in our care. On October 17, 2026, the Sons of the American Revolution will conduct a special Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony honoring the first five patriots in this multi-year effort.

Each bronze marker costs $250, and our goal is to raise $1,250 to fund five markers this year. Hillside is the final resting place of 17 Revolutionary War Patriots, and over the next three years we hope to ensure that each one is properly recognized for their service and sacrifice.

Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org

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From Petition to Parish
Jun
20
11:00 AM11:00

From Petition to Parish

From Petition to Parish: The Petition of Faith (1726)
Saturday, June 20 | 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. | Sharp Hill Cemetery

Step back nearly 300 years and experience the founding of Wilton Parish through this immersive walking theater event at historic Sharp Hill Cemetery. Guided by a young girl named Faith, visitors will encounter the men and women whose determination, sacrifice, and vision helped establish Wilton Congregational Church in 1726.

Presented by the Wilton Historical Society, Wilton Congregational Church, and ArtSynergy Productions, this unique outdoor performance brings local history to life among the gravestones of Wilton's earliest settlers.

Performances begin at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

Register online at: https://wiltonhistorical.org/events/event/from-petition-to-parish-the-petition-of-faith-1726-immersive-cemetery-tour/

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Coffee Hour at Hillside!
Jun
14
10:30 AM10:30

Coffee Hour at Hillside!

Join us on June 14th at 10:30 AM for coffee hour at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum. Enjoy lemonade and cookies while Executive Director Pam Brown shares updates on the arboretum and ongoing restoration projects. Tour of the grounds will be available for those interested. We will also celebrate Flag Day and share details about the Revolutionary War Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony planned for October 18, 2026 as part of the America 250 celebration. We hope you'll join us for this informative and enjoyable gathering!

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Revolutionaries of Hillside Cemetery
May
2
9:30 AM09:30

Revolutionaries of Hillside Cemetery

Revolutionaries of Hillside Cemetery

To commemorate America 250 and the 300th anniversary of Wilton Parish, Wilton Historical Society Director Nick Foster will lead a walking tour of Hillside Cemetery that will explore the lives of the “revolutionaries” that are buried at Hillside, from those who played a part in America’s War for Independence to the radical activists who fought for rights and liberty in the decades to follow.

The tour will last approximately an hour and will involve walking and standing for the duration.

Registration required. $10 suggested donation.

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Patriots' Day Celebration
Apr
23
5:00 PM17:00

Patriots' Day Celebration

Join us at Hillside Cemetery on Thursday, April 23rd at 5:00 PM for a special Patriots’ Day event . We’ll visit the graves of several Wilton patriots and reflect on how they contributed—both in service and in spirit—to this chapter of American history.

Afterward, all are invited to the Wilton Library at 7:00 PM for a Patriots’ Day Program 2026 Sponsored by The Daughters of the America Revolution, Drum Hill Chapter entitled “Revolutionary Choices: Patriotism, Loyalism, Neutrality, and The Fate of the American Revolution”. Dr. Jonathon Awtrey will speak about the origins of the American Revolution and will consider how and why Anglo-Americans chose to side with the Patriots or Loyalists or to remain neutral.

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Vietnam Veterans Day
Mar
28
to Mar 30

Vietnam Veterans Day

Vietnam Veterans Day is March 29th. Let us offer prayers of gratitude and peace to all Vietnam veterans who served and are still suffering the effects of war.

There were 2.59 million American veterans who served during the Vietnam War for over a decade. Let us take a moment of silence in remembrance the 58,282 Vietnam veterans killed in action and the more than 2,646 Americans who remain unaccounted for from the conflict.

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America 250: Women of Revolutionary Wilton
Mar
15
1:00 PM13:00

America 250: Women of Revolutionary Wilton

Pam Brown, Executive Director of Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum, will present From Colony to Country: Women of Revolutionary Wilton, a special Women’s History Month program exploring the lives of the remarkable women who sustained our community during America’s fight for independence. Together we will reflect on how these wives, mothers, and patriots helped guide Wilton from a small colonial parish into a new nation. Click here for a guide.

Following the presentation, guests are invited to join us for a walking tour through Hillside Cemetery, where these women are laid to rest. The walking portion of the program will take place weather permitting.

Please sign up here.

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Remember Me: Funeral and Memorial Planning Workshop
Feb
8
11:00 AM11:00

Remember Me: Funeral and Memorial Planning Workshop

  • Wilton Congregational Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Funeral and Memorial service and burial planning can be a quandary when someone you love has died. You may not be sure what to do, who to approach, or even what you or your loved one wants. The same holds true for your loved ones. Why not make it a bit easier for them and think ahead of what your wishes might include?

We will offer a workshop on effective Funeral and Memorial Planning. We will reflect and think about scripture passages, hymns or music, elements of a service itself. We will discuss planning for after the service, whether burial or cremation, different aspects and services of Hillside Cemetery; we will also focus on probate and basic estate planning.

Presented by Pam Brown, Executive Directory, Hillside Cemetery and Paul H. Burnham, Attorney, Gregory & Adams.

For more information please email pam@wiltoncongregational.orgor call 203-762-5591.

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Wreaths Across America at Wilton Veterans Memorial Green
Dec
13
10:00 AM10:00

Wreaths Across America at Wilton Veterans Memorial Green

  • Wilton Veterans Memorial Green (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us at Wilton Veterans Memorial Green along Center Street at 10 a.m. for a wreath laying ceremony hosted by the Boy Scouts. After the ceremony we will travel to Hillside Cemetery to place wreaths on Veterans’ graves. All are welcome. To donate a wreath please click here.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,600 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

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Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov
11
8:00 AM08:00

Veterans Day Ceremony

  • Wilton Veterans Memorial Green (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The James B. Whipple American Legion Post 86 will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Wilton Veterans Memorial Green along Center Street. This annual tradition honors the service and sacrifice of all who have worn our nation’s uniform.

All veterans, their families, and members of the Wilton community are warmly encouraged to attend. Join us as we pay tribute to our heroes with words of gratitude, moments of reflection, and the laying of wreaths in their honor.

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Daffodil Planting
Nov
9
2:00 PM14:00

Daffodil Planting

Help beautify the cemetery!

Join us for a Daffodil Planting Workshop with the Cub Scouts at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum on Sunday, November 9, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. Bring a shovel and gloves — we’ll provide the bulbs. Together, we’ll plant a burst of color that will brighten the grounds for years to come. For details, contact Pam Brown.

SIGN UP HERE

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All Souls' Day
Oct
26
to Nov 8

All Souls' Day

As manager of Hillside Cemetery, I spend a lot of time here, so I’d like to reflect on the meaning of All Souls’ Day, which falls on November 2. While All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) honors saints and martyrs, All Souls’ Day is about family—remembering loved ones, visiting the cemetery, and keeping traditions alive.

A walk through Hillside tells many stories—those who lived more than a century, soldiers from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan, and sadly, children whose lives were far too short. This past year alone, we buried 57 beloved individuals.

On All Souls’ Day, take time to honor your own family. Cook a favorite meal, look through old photos, or reach out to a relative. However you do it, celebrate your family’s history and love.

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Constitution Week
Sep
17
to Sep 23

Constitution Week

Each year, the President proclaims Constitution Week to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787.

We celebrate this week to:

  • Learn about the history and events that led to the Constitution.

  • Remember that the Constitution is the foundation of our freedoms and way of life.

  • Remind all citizens of their responsibility to protect and preserve this important document.

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Cemetery Cleanup Day
Sep
13
10:00 AM10:00

Cemetery Cleanup Day

Join the Wilton SLOBs* as we clean markers & plant pollinators. Bring gloves, all cleaning supplies will be provided.

  Sign up or donate here.

*Wilton's Service League of Boys is a philanthropic club for sons and parents to initiate and promote educational and charitable endeavors that foster community responsibility and leadership, as well as strengthen the parent-son relationship.

Sign up here. Donations welcome.

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Carry the Load National Day of Service
Sep
11
12:00 PM12:00

Carry the Load National Day of Service

Join us for a National Day of Service and Remembrance by volunteering to help clean headstones and beautify these sacred grounds in tribute to our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Rediscovering History and their crew will provide instruction. Bring gloves, all cleaning supplies will be provided.

Sign up here. Donations welcome.

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Overdose Awareness Day
Aug
30
to Sep 1

Overdose Awareness Day

  • Wilton, CT, 06897 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Today, we join a global movement—International Overdose Awareness Day—to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remember those lost to overdose. Observed every year on August 31, it's a moment to unite in grief and hope, honoring lives cut short and standing in solidarity with those affected.

In Connecticut, this day carries deep meaning. Statewide, leaders reaffirm their commitment to confronting the overdose crisis—not with judgment, but with compassion and support. Resources like LiveLOUD, accessible via ctaddictionservices.com or by calling 1-800-563-4086, offer hope, connection, and life-saving services for those in need.

Nationally, the CDC emphasizes that overdose—not just from opioids but increasingly from stimulants, often combined with opioids—is a preventable tragedy. This year’s campaign underscores recovery, prevention, and dignity, sharing vital tools like Naloxone to reverse overdoses and offering educational support to families and communities.

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Hillside's First Newsletter!
Jul
1
to Aug 31

Hillside's First Newsletter!

Dear Friends,

We are excited to share the very first edition of the Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum Newsletter, click here!  You will find updates, milestones, and ways to stay connected with our historic and growing grounds.

 Hillside is now officially recognized as a Level I Arboretum by ArbNet, and we’ve begun our three-year Headstone Restoration Project to preserve the stories and legacies of those who rest here. Thank you to everyone who helps care for this special place.

 How to Get Involved

  • Volunteer for gardening or restoration

  • Donate toward tree planting or headstone preservation

  • Adopt a memorial tree or bench

  • Join our tours and educational events

Please reach out to our office or visit our website to learn more. Together, we will keep Hillside a place of beauty, remembrance, and renewal for today and generations to come.

 My warmest regards,

Pam Brown, Executive Director

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Arbor Day Celebration!
Apr
25
to May 11

Arbor Day Celebration!

Arbor Day Celebration at Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 25th with the planting of 12 flowering cherry trees and 6 fragrant lilac bushes. These beautiful additions were generously donated by an anonymous supporter who wishes to further the mission that earned Hillside its designation as an arboretum. The new plantings will enhance the cemetery’s natural beauty, offering seasonal color, scent, and shade for generations to come. More than just a tribute to Arbor Day—a holiday devoted to the planting, preservation, and appreciation of trees—this gesture reflects a lasting investment in the peaceful, living landscape of Hillside Cemetery.

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Patriots' Day Celebration: Wilton and the War of 1812: Duty, Division, and a Dollar Deal
Apr
22
5:30 PM17:30

Patriots' Day Celebration: Wilton and the War of 1812: Duty, Division, and a Dollar Deal

Wilton and the War of 1812: Duty, Division, and a Dollar Deal

Join us at Hillside Cemetery on Tuesday, April 22 at 5:30 PM for a special Patriots’ Day event honoring Wilton’s role in the War of 1812. We’ll visit the graves of several Wilton patriots and reflect on how our town contributed—both in service and in spirit—to this chapter of American history.. Click here for a program!

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Hillside Honored by Wilton Go Green for Environmental Stewardship
Apr
9
to Jul 9

Hillside Honored by Wilton Go Green for Environmental Stewardship

Hillside Cemetery Receives Elizabeth Craig Award for the Environment

We are honored that Wilton Go Green has presented Hillside Cemetery with the Elizabeth Craig Award for the Environment, recognizing our work in establishing Hillside as a certified Level I Arboretum. This award, named in memory of Elizabeth Craig—a passionate environmental advocate, Master Gardener, Arborist, and co-founder of the Pollinator Pathway—acknowledges our commitment to sustainable land use, native plantings, and creating a welcoming green space for the Wilton community.

"Hillside Cemetery’s transformation into an arboretum beautifully reflects the values Liz championed -respect for nature, community engagement, and long-term environmental stewardship," said Tammy Thornton, President of Wilton Go Green. "We’re proud to honor their vision and leadership with this award."

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