The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery
The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.
Episodes
"I hope the adventures in this book inspire you to explore a cemetery. It’s good
for the cemetery—and I promise it will be good for you." This is how Loren Rhoads welcomes readers to indulge in her latest cemetery book, 'Death's Garden Revisited: Personal Relationships with Cemeteries'. Loren, who is the editor, says the book is a "collection of over two dozen essays and more than two hundred phot...
Get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of mystery and romance with Jennie and Dianne in the latest episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast featuring author Roy Widing and his captivating book "Whispers From The Tomb: A True Love Story Discovered In A Century Old Mausoleum." Join them as they unravel the secrets behind the magnificent Rae Room tomb in Portland, Oregon—an Ordinary Extraordinary...
Dianne and Jennie are thrilled to continue their conversation with Rachel Meyer from Epoch Preservation. Join them for part 2 of an insightful two-part series delving into the fascinating world of cemetery conservation and preservation. In this episode, they discuss crucial topics like advocating for saving cemeteries, securing funding, leveraging social media for promotion, and the imperative mission of preserving indigenous, blac...
Dianne and Jennie are thrilled to welcome Rachel Meyer from Epoch Preservation as this week's special guest. Join them for part 1 of an insightful two-part series delving into the fascinating world of cemetery conservation and preservation.
Discover the remarkable journey of Epoch Preservation, a leading gravestone conservation business based in Massachusetts. From humble beginnings to becoming pioneers in the field, ...
Join Jennie and Dianne on an enlightening journey through history with the author of "The Queen of Denver: Louise Sneed Hill and the Emergence of Modern High Society" Shelby Carr. In this captivating follow-up to Episode 127, Shelby, who is the leading historian on Louise Sneed Hill, joins us to set the record straight and correct misconceptions about the woman who took charge of Denver's high society social circles...
Join Jennie and Dianne, along with returning guest Avrohom Krauss, as they continue their exploration into the world of Ordinary Extraordinary Jewish cemetery sites. This week, they delve deeper into the topics of desecration and preservation of these sacred spaces, shedding light on the importance of honoring the memory of those laid to rest. In a time when our world is once more grappling with the ravages of war and animosity, th...
In this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne, along with special guest Avrohom Krauss, an educator, genealogist, and speaker specializing in Jewish resources and cemetery research, delve into the Ordinary Extraordinary Jewish immigrant cemeteries of New York. These cemeteries hold the final resting places of victims from tragic events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in 1911 and the sinking of the Tit...
Jennie and Dianne dive into history with special guest Tim Smith, the Director of Education for the Adams County Historical Society and town historian at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This week, Tim unfolds captivating tales of the battlefield, revealing how the citizens of Gettysburg coped with the historic battle including the tragic account of Jenny Wade, the only civilian casualty of the battle. He also details how the battlefield ...
This episode is part one of at least two episodes covering one of Dayton, Ohio's largest green spaces, Calvary Cemetery. Founded in 1872 to accommodate three Catholic parishes that grew out of the German, Irish, Polish, Hungarian, Italian and Lithuanian immigrants who flocked to the area in the mid 1800s, it replaced the overflowing St. Henry's cemetery, and has become a crown jewel among Midwestern cemeteries. In this fi...
Love is in the air this week as Jennie and Dianne share the story of a woman who led, shall we say, an alternative life as madam Bessie Rivers, and despite her unconventional path, found love and respect among many in her community and her final resting place has not been forgotten in lovely Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, Colorado. Situated in the southwestern part of Colorado, Durango is surrounded by the rugged San Juan Mountai...
Jennie and Dianne relate a gripping yet heart-wrenching chapter of circus history that led to the first burials at Showmen's Rest in Chicago's beautiful Woodlawn Memorial Park. Listen in as they spotlight the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck of 1918 – a tragic event that claimed over 80 lives and left many injured. In the spirit of February and love-themed episodes, they explore the profound love that emerged amidst t...
Jennie and Dianne delve into the remarkable tale of James and Olivia Tate, enslaved in Georgia prior to the American civil war but united by love. This February, they kick off a month-long celebration of love and honor Black History with the Tate's inspiring story at Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery. True love knows no bounds, not even the challenges of the Civil War. Discover how James and Olivia overcame separation, ...
Join Jennie and Dianne as they unravel the remarkable life of Margaret Ann Harvey Neve in this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast! This latest episode delves into the story of the first recorded female supercentenarian, the second person to reach 110 (after Geert Boomgaard), and the first to span three centuries (1792-1903). "Living to be over 100 is not just about time; it's about witnessing the danc...
Jennie and Dianne ride into the Wild West in this latest podcast episode! 🤠 Together they cover the unique story of Cattle Annie and Little Britches, two adventurous young girls who defied the norms of their time by becoming outlaws in the vast Oklahoma territory of the 1890s. 🌵 Explore their journey, the challenges they faced, and the Ordinary Extraordinary legacy they left behind. 🐎 Whether you're a history buff or just l...
Jennie and Dianne uncover the remark ble legacy of Irene Lentz – a trailblazing fashion designer turned Hollywood costume innovator during the 1930s and 40s. Delve into the Ord nary Extraordinary story of how she not only took the reins as MGM's chief designer in 1942 but also managed an exclusive fashion line for over 20 department stores – a true pioneer working both in Tinseltown and for herself simultaneously. Yet, beneath...
As we bid farewell to 2023, the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast team wishes you a Happy New Year! Don't miss this final episode of the year, weaving history, literature, and friendship into an Ordinary Extraordinary story. Jennie and Dianne are joined by author Pamela McColl as they explore the charming friendship between literary giant Mark Twain and the remarkable Helen Keller.
Discover the shared love of li...
Embark on a heartfelt yuletide journey with Jennie and Dianne as they uncover the remarkable story of James J. Brady at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan. Despite humble beginnings, Brady's life is etched in the unadorned markers beside his wife, a testament to a life lived in simplicity and generosity. From a runaway at the tender age of six to becoming a successful businessman, Brady's legacy extends beyond his t...
Join Jennie and Dianne as they unravel a tale of light from darkness in Landsberg am Lech, Germany. From the city's historical significance to the Jüdischer Friedhof, a small Jewish cemetery containing about 600 victims of the Nazi terror that were killed in one of the nearby concentration camps, discover the poignant journey of Holocaust survivors and how the celebration of Hanukkah took place in secret throughout concentrat...
Uncover the rich history of the second oldest rural cemetery in America on "The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery" podcast! Join Jennie and Dianne alongside Laurel Hill Cemetery's President & CEO Nancy Goldenberg, Arboretum Manager Aaron Greenberg, and Volunteer & Tour Guide Sarah Hamill as they share Ordinary Extraordinary stories of those buried in the two burial grounds that make up Laurel Hill (including tw...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.