Tucked away in the bucolic setting of New Haven, Vermont, is a cemetery with a long-standing mystery. Thanks to a strange burial that calls the living with its enigmatic window, it’s a location where the line between life and death seems to blur.
This is more than just a piece of glass embedded in the ground; it’s a window into a different realm and a silent observer of the fascinations and anxieties of the human spirit.
Our trek through Evergreen Cemetery’s mist-covered passageways reveals the tale of Dr. Timothy Clark Smith, a man whose fear of being buried alive inspired the production of this unsettling show.
His burial, where a window overlooks his final resting place, is a testament to the extent people would go to in order to find peace in the hereafter.
Come explore the past, present, and future of the enigmatic window at the Vermont Cemetery—a sobering reminder of our own mortality and the enduring search for comfort beyond death.
The Story of Dr. Timothy Clark Smith
A unusual burial in the sleepy Vermont town of New Haven has drawn the interest of both locals and tourists. It is a grave with a window—a real glimpse into the world beyond—rather than simply any old resting place.
Now resting in Evergreen Cemetery, Dr. Timothy Clark Smith was terrified he would be buried alive. This was not a wholly illogical concern in the 19th century because medical understanding did not always allow for the distinction between certain stages of unconsciousness and death.
Dr. Smith took action to make sure that his darkest nightmare would never come true.
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A Grave Unlike Any Other
His last resting place was intended to serve as a deterrent against being buried too soon. He erected a glass pane at the center of his horizontal grave marker, precisely six feet above his face. It was a straightforward but clever idea: if he was accidentally buried, he could still be seen via the window.
Dr. Smith had steps built next to his grave beneath a capstone so that, in the unlikely event of the unthinkable, there would be a possible escape route.
The doctor’s worries were realized when he died in 1893, a few months short of turning 72, and no traces of life were seen after his burial.
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Present Condition
The window is still there now, more than a century later, but it is no longer as translucent. It is not possible to see farther than a few inches into the grave due to condensation and environmental factors. The staircase is still present, although it is no longer usable.
Visiting the Grave
Evergreen Cemetery welcomes guests who are drawn to this unsettling yet captivating tale. Even though the window might not provide a clear view anymore, Dr. Timothy Clark Smith’s grave is nevertheless a fascinating site to see and a special part of Vermont’s past.
This window-covered cemetery is a sobering reminder of our own death and the extent we will go to in order to claim control over our ultimate fate. It’s evidence of both human resourcefulness and the ability of fear to motivate us to take extreme actions.
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Conclusion
The graveyard window in Vermont is a spectral time capsule. It tells a hushed story of a time when people were afraid of being buried too soon. Dr. Smith’s story endures even when the escape path is blocked and the window is obscured.
It forces us to think about dying with wonder for the legacy we leave behind rather than fear. The grave is a reminder that life is limited and precious, and that each moment should be treasured.
