The Newtown Bee’s “Get To Know” series typically features a look at local buildings. This week we focus on Newtown Village Cemetery.

Newtown Village Cemetery Association, Inc, President Maureen Crick Owen answered questions about the Newtown Village Cemetery.

In what year was it purchased or established? Newtown Village Cemetery Association was established in 1860. While some land the cemetery purchased, Mary Hawley donated one of the largest parcels of land to Newtown Village Cemetery, which makes up the central portion of the cemetery. Besides owning the cemetery, Newtown Village Cemetery owns Ram Pasture. Ram Pasture is an indirect gift of Mary Hawley. Upon Mary Hawley’s death, pursuant to the terms of her will, Yale University received this property. Yale had no desire to own the land and it was offered to Newtown Village Cemetery. The association has owned Ram Pasture since 1931.

Who or what entity owns or oversees the property? Newtown Village Cemetery Association, Inc, owns the cemetery, Ram Pasture, and other property. The Board of Directors oversees and manages the operations.

How large is the property? The cemetery consists of approximately 18 acres. However, Newtown Village Cemetery Association owns other property, which includes Ram Pasture.

How many plots are there in total and how many are available? Newtown Village Cemetery Association has considerable available land for future graves. A portion of the cemetery has not been plotted out. We will plot out new graves when they are needed.

Does this cemetery contain any structures of note? The Hawley Memorial. As a gift to Newtown Village Cemetery Association, in 1924 Mary Hawley had this holding vault built and dedicated it to the memory of her parents, Marcus Clinton Hawley and Sarah Booth Hawley.

What is the oldest grave site? The oldest graves date back to early 1700s and are located in the oldest section of the cemetery (southeast corner).

What is one interesting fact about the cemetery? During spring, please look for the daffodils along the length of the wrought iron fence at the front of the cemetery. I expressed my desire to the board to have yellow — only bright yellow — daffodils planted along the entire fence. To my surprise, [Newtown Bee Publisher] Scudder Smith, board member, and Frank LaPak, former superintendent, purchased and planted all the bulbs. Every year when I see the beautiful daffodils, I think of their kind gesture.

What should visitors know? Such as, is ingrown planting allowed? Cemeteries are a place where family will visit after a loved one’s death to place flowers, remember good times, and discuss a life lost. For the safety and protection of the cemetery, families, visitors, staff, and contractors, Newtown Village Cemetery Association has rules and regulations. If someone wishes a copy of our rules, they can e-mail newtownvillagecem@gmail.com.

What is the most common question you are asked about the property and the answer? What are my burial options? We offer burial in a single grave or in the urn garden. A single grave may be used for (a) full casket in cement vault; (b) full casket in cement vault and one cremated remains within a cremation container buried on top of casket; or (c) four cremated remains in four separate cremation containers. Each urn garden plot can accommodate two urns containing cremated remains.

What are the cemetery’s biggest challenges? The ongoing challenge is to ensure the financial viability of the association forever. The association has the responsibility of the care and maintenance of the cemetery and its properties long after the cemetery is at capacity. Another challenge is to meet the changing needs of the cemetery industry. With cremation continuing to rise, we hope to offer a columbarium where cremated remains could be permanently placed in a niche above ground.