September 11 Memorial Dedication
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum
Please join us at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum as we gather to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and dedicate a new memorial honoring five members of our community whose lives were lost that day.
At the heart of the memorial is a remarkable steel cross handcrafted from steel recovered from the World Trade Center site by a New York City firefighter. The firefighter created the cross and later presented it to the Henwood family, who have entrusted this deeply meaningful piece of history to be part of Hillside’s permanent memorial.
Members of the Henwood family will join us as we remember their brother, John Christopher Henwood, along with Edward T. Fergus Jr., Peter C. Fry, John F. Iskyan, and Edward P. York.
Together, we will dedicate this special place of remembrance—honoring five lives, the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, and a day our nation will never forget.
All are welcome to attend.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
Sunset History Walk: Fields of Freedom
September 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Experience the beauty of a meadow at dusk and the power of history on this unique evening event. Beginning at Chestnut Meadows, we will make our way to Hillside Cemetery’s historic Old Section, where local historians will bring Wilton’s Revolutionary War past to life. Hear the stories of the Revolutionary War soldiers and the farming families who fought for our independence and shaped our community. This leisurely walk offers a memorable opportunity to connect with Wilton’s history in a peaceful and picturesque setting.
Parking: Please park in the parking lot at The Land Trust property at 183 Ridgefield Road and meet in the barn.
RegisterHERE.
Contact Pam Brown at pam@wiltoncongregational.org for more details.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
A Greener Goodbye: Discover Natural Burial
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | Drop in 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum
Curious about green burial and what it really involves? Join us at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum for a relaxed and informative Green Burial Open House, presented by Smart Funeral Planning in partnership with Hillside Cemetery.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore eco-friendly burial options, learn why more families are choosing natural burial, see a biodegradable casket up close, and participate in a special community planting ceremony. There will also be coloring activities for children and light refreshments.
Whether you are planning for the future or simply interested in learning more, this open house is an opportunity to experience Hillside’s natural burial setting firsthand and discover a thoughtful, environmentally conscious approach to end-of-life planning.
Drop in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
RSVP: 203-767-7679
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum – Old Section
As part of America’s 250th anniversary, Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum is proud to honor the 18 Revolutionary War Patriots buried in our care.
On Saturday, October 17, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will conduct a special Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony, honoring the first five Patriots in Hillside’s multi-year effort to identify and permanently mark each Revolutionary War Patriot’s grave.
Members of the SAR, dressed in historically accurate Revolutionary War uniforms, will lead this meaningful ceremony with traditional honors and the dedication of special Patriot grave markers.
Please join us in Hillside’s historic Old Section as we remember the men who helped secure American independence and ensure that their service and sacrifice are remembered for generations to come.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
HILLSIDE IN THE NEWS
Hillside’s May Newsletter - View Newsletter
Patriots’ Day Tour: A House Divided; Wilton in the American Revolution - View Brochure
Women’s History Month: Women of Revolutionary Wilton - View Brochure
Hillside’s March Newsletter - View Newsletter
Hillside’s November Newsletter - View Newsletter
Good Morning Wilton: 5 Questions with Pam Brown - View Article
Hillside’s September Newsletter - View Newsletter
Hillside’s July Newsletter - View Newsletter
Celebrating Arbor Day: New Trees, Lasting Beauty, April 29, 2025 - View Article
Wilton and the War of 1812: Duty, Division, and a Dollar Deal, April 22, 2025 - View Brochure
Wilton Go Green Award for Environment, April 9, 2025 - View Award
Hillside Cemetery Gets Special Attention & TLC, November 13, 2024 - View Article
Hillside Cemetery Now Recognized as Accredited Arboretum, October 15, 2024 - View Article
Patriots’ Day Celebration, April 2024 - View Brochure
Women of Wilton: Authors, Artists, and Entrepreneurs, March 2024 - View Brochure
NEVER FORGET GARDEN Grand Opening 5/30/22 - View Article
Hillside Awarded KIP Award at ICCFA Expo in Las Vegas 3/26/21 - View Article
NEVER FORGET GARDEN Dedication 11/11/21 - View Article
Brown Named Valedictorian of ICCFAU Class of 2021 10/01/21 - View Article
Spirits of the Past at Sharp Hill Cemetery 11/02/19 - View Article
Hillside Walking Tour with Bob Russell - View Article
Sharp Hill Cemetery Walk for Kids - View Article
Hillside Cemetery Sponsors Valentines for Veterans program - View Article
Hillside Cemetery Celebrates 200 Years - View Article
Cub Scouts Dig in to Help the Bees and Butterflies - View Article
Remembering Local Heroes - View Article
Honoring Wilton’s Veterans- View Article
Spirits of the Past in Sharp Hill Cemetery - View Article
Editorial: For Country and Freedom - View Article
Featured Events
September 11 Memorial Dedication
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum
Please join us at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum as we gather to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and dedicate a new memorial honoring five members of our community whose lives were lost that day.
At the heart of the memorial is a remarkable steel cross handcrafted from steel recovered from the World Trade Center site by a New York City firefighter. The firefighter created the cross and later presented it to the Henwood family, who have entrusted this deeply meaningful piece of history to be part of Hillside’s permanent memorial.
Members of the Henwood family will join us as we remember their brother, John Christopher Henwood, along with Edward T. Fergus Jr., Peter C. Fry, John F. Iskyan, and Edward P. York.
Together, we will dedicate this special place of remembrance—honoring five lives, the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, and a day our nation will never forget.
All are welcome to attend.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
Sunset History Walk: Fields of Freedom
September 17 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Experience the beauty of a meadow at dusk and the power of history on this unique evening event. Beginning at Chestnut Meadows, we will make our way to Hillside Cemetery’s historic Old Section, where local historians will bring Wilton’s Revolutionary War past to life. Hear the stories of the Revolutionary War soldiers and the farming families who fought for our independence and shaped our community. This leisurely walk offers a memorable opportunity to connect with Wilton’s history in a peaceful and picturesque setting.
Parking: Please park in the parking lot at The Land Trust property at 183 Ridgefield Road and meet in the barn.
RegisterHERE.
Contact Pam Brown at pam@wiltoncongregational.org for more details.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
A Greener Goodbye: Discover Natural Burial
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | Drop in 4:00–6:00 p.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum
Curious about green burial and what it really involves? Join us at Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum for a relaxed and informative Green Burial Open House, presented by Smart Funeral Planning in partnership with Hillside Cemetery.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore eco-friendly burial options, learn why more families are choosing natural burial, see a biodegradable casket up close, and participate in a special community planting ceremony. There will also be coloring activities for children and light refreshments.
Whether you are planning for the future or simply interested in learning more, this open house is an opportunity to experience Hillside’s natural burial setting firsthand and discover a thoughtful, environmentally conscious approach to end-of-life planning.
Drop in anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
RSVP: 203-767-7679
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org
Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum – Old Section
As part of America’s 250th anniversary, Hillside Cemetery & Arboretum is proud to honor the 18 Revolutionary War Patriots buried in our care.
On Saturday, October 17, the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will conduct a special Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony, honoring the first five Patriots in Hillside’s multi-year effort to identify and permanently mark each Revolutionary War Patriot’s grave.
Members of the SAR, dressed in historically accurate Revolutionary War uniforms, will lead this meaningful ceremony with traditional honors and the dedication of special Patriot grave markers.
Please join us in Hillside’s historic Old Section as we remember the men who helped secure American independence and ensure that their service and sacrifice are remembered for generations to come.
Contact Pam Brown for more information: pam@wiltoncongregational.org