CORINTH ME

CORINTH ME

East Corinth Cemetary

Built - c, 1900

Since bandstands had become such a focal point during Memorial Day from 1868 and onward, many were built in cemetaries where solemn dedications were made from the structure, Rolls of Honors were read from the structures and graves decorated and in Maine especially, such shelters became the focus of raising the flag, playing taps and saying prayers. Children would also put lilacs in canning jars and proudly visit ancestors that they had heard about since they were young. Afterwards, the day continued with picnic lunches and band concerts. Thus cemetaries did not conjure up thoughts of frightening images but in those early days, were considered to be friendly places where relatives would meet to honor their dead and enjoy the normally scenic surroundings.

The bandstand in East Corinth Cemetary served that same purpose being built right at around the turn-of-the-century and used for many years but now is just a boarded up relic of the past. There had been a previous "Summer House" in that cemetary built in c.1870 until it was believed to have possibly been burned in the town's fire in 1889.