Silent Cities - Boston's Cemeteries in Art and Image - by Chris Parker (Hardcover)

About the Book

Boston Cemeteries is a photographic exploration of the city's historic burying grounds and garden cemeteries. From Puritan headstones to Catholic and Jewish memorials, these images capture the art, memory, and culture carved into Boston's neighborhoods. A reflective journey through stone and silence, the book reveals cemeteries as living archives of the city's past.

Book Synopsis

Boston Cemeteries is a photographic journey through the city's most historic and evocative resting places. From the Puritan skull-carved gravestones of King's Chapel and Copp's Hill to the sweeping landscapes of Forest Hills and Mount Hope, and the sacred Catholic and Jewish grounds of St. Augustine, St. Joseph, and Baker Street, this book reveals Boston's cemeteries as places where art, history, and memory converge.

Captured over the course of a year living between Boston and Seattle, the photographs invite readers to see cemeteries not just as sites of mourning, but as enduring archives of community and culture. Alongside rich images and thoughtful narrative, Boston Cemeteries offers a unique lens into the neighborhoods, faiths, and people who shaped one of America's oldest cities.

About the Author

Chris Parker is a passionate storyteller and dedicated photographer whose work invites readers to explore the hidden beauty and rich history of Boston's cemeteries. With a background in design and technical software product management, Chris combines his artistic vision with a keen eye for detail, capturing the serene landscapes and intricate gravestones that tell stories of lives once lived.

Currently residing in Seattle, WA, Chris draws inspiration from his travels and the vibrant communities he encounters. When not photographing cemeteries, he enjoys working in his woodshop, writing, or creating music in his home recording studio, where he releases songs under the name Concrete Parlor. This photo book serves as a visual testament to the artistry found in stillness and the profound connections we can discover in places often overlooked.