Crown Hill Speaker Series
Crown Hill Foundation is excited to offer a new lineup of speakers and topics for 2025-2026. As we enter the third year of our speaker series, we will explore topics such as death photography, the evolution of obituaries, landscape conservation, and the funerals of famous people. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on this and all tours and events at Crown Hill!
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A Lasting Image: Mourning and Memory through Post-Mortem Photography
Post-mortem photography was a common practice in 19th- and early 20th-century American culture. The photographs are poignant and full of artistry, serving as a way to mourn and memorialize loved ones.
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Post-mortem photography was a common practice in 19th- and early 20th-century American culture. The photographs are poignant and full of artistry, serving as a way to mourn and memorialize loved ones. Join Sierra Laddusaw, Curator of Maps & Graphics from the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, to learn more about post-mortem photography through the collections held at the William L. Clements Library.
Tickets:
- $10 per person
- Must be purchased in advance online
- NO tickets will be sold at the gate
Location: Gothic Chapel (enter the 34th Street Gate, 3402 Boulevard Place)
All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less DetailsThursday, December 4-
$10
6:00-7:30 pmDo not Omit the Obit: Indianapolis Obituaries Between DecadesObituaries serve as cultural artifacts that reflect societal norms, values, and ways that communities remember and honor their deceased community members. By exploring the evolution and transformation of obituaries in Indianapolis through the years, Madeline Young will explore the ways community structures have changed, social relationships, and the impact of technology on memorializing the death of an individual.
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Obituaries serve as cultural artifacts that reflect societal norms, values, and ways that communities remember and honor their deceased community members. By exploring the evolution and transformation of obituaries in Indianapolis through the years, Madeline Young will explore the ways community structures have changed, social relationships, and the impact of technology on memorializing the death of an individual. Understanding these changes helps us appreciate how cultural remnants like obituaries adapt to societal changes and can serve as a reflection of our values and identities. This is important for preserving the history and heritage of a community such as Indianapolis.
Tickets:
- $10 per person
- Must be purchased in advance online
- NO tickets will be sold at the gate
Location: Gothic Chapel (enter the 34th Street Gate, 3402 Boulevard Place)
All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less DetailsThursday, January 29-
$10
6:00-7:30 pmCeremonial Funeral Teams: Burying the FamousArranging for the funeral of a loved one is an emotional and multi-layered process. When it is the funeral of someone of political status or society notoriety, additional steps are needed to properly honor the dead and accommodate the security needs of the mourners.
More DetailsArranging for the funeral of a loved one is an emotional and multi-layered process. When it is the funeral of someone of political status or society notoriety, additional steps are needed to properly honor the dead and accommodate the security needs of the mourners. Alex Putnam, a member of SCI’s Ceremonial Funeral Teams, will highlight some of the prominent funerals on which he has worked and the layers of security, scrutiny, and work required when burying the famous.
Tickets:
- $10 per person
- Must be purchased in advance online
- NO tickets will be sold at the gate
Location: Gothic Chapel (enter the 34th Street Gate, 3402 Boulevard Place)
All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less DetailsThursday, February 26-
$10
6:00-7:30 pmConserving Indiana’s LandscapeDuring this presentation, Tom will take audiences on a broad survey of the natural and cultural history that has shaped Indiana’s landscapes. He will explore the state’s diverse ecoregions, discuss how human history has influenced the land, and share insights from a lifetime in conservation.
More DetailsTom Swinford is a conservation leader who has spent more than three decades protecting and restoring Indiana’s natural areas through his work with the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves, The Nature Conservancy, and Sycamore Land Trust. During this presentation, Tom will take audiences on a broad survey of the natural and cultural history that has shaped Indiana’s landscapes. He will explore the state’s diverse ecoregions, discuss how human history has influenced the land, and share insights from a lifetime in conservation.
Tickets:
- $10 per person
- Must be purchased in advance online
- NO tickets will be sold at the gate
Location: Gothic Chapel (enter the 34th Street Gate, 3402 Boulevard Place)
All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Less DetailsThursday, March 26-
$10
6:00-7:30 pm
