What better way to spend a windy October afternoon than a hike through a cemetery? But it’s not just any old graveyard. It’s the Belvidere Cemetery, with the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Pettit Chapel at its heart.
Our guide is Sam Larson. She’s been in charge of her hometown cemetery for 29 years: Her official title is “Sexton,” but she prefers “Cemeterian.” Larson’s relationship with Belvidere Cemetery goes back to her childhood, when she flowered and watered her family’s gravesites. Listen to the full podcast to hear more about her unusual duties and extraordinary dedication to the not-for-profit that’s provided a final resting place to thousands since 1847 – and is prepared to continue its role for maybe another 200 years.
Pettit Chapel was completed in 1907 as a tribute to Dr. William Pettit by his wife Emma. She was dismayed that her hometown cemetery didn’t have a nice place for people to gather for services, so hired famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design the chapel near her husband’s gravesite. It fell into disrepair for decades, even used for storage, before the Belvidere Women’s Club took on its restoration. Now it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and available for events. And if she’s not too wrapped up in her day-to-day duties, Sam might just give you a tour.
Thanks to Sam Larson and the Belvidere Cemetery Association for all they do.
Under Rocks is produced at Northern Illinois University by WNIJ. Your hosts and producers are Dan Libman, Spencer Tritt, and Susan Stephens.
Send us your places, ideas, and things you’d like us to explore on Under Rocks: rocks@niu.edu.
