Thomas R. Dilley is a retired attorney and frequent lecturer on cemetery history in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of several books of local history, and he is a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission, trustee of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, past chair of the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation, and trustee of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation.
The Art of Memory explores one midwestern city but explains a
cemetery history relevant to the entire Midwest. A walk through any
cemetery, whether rural and simple or urban and magnificent,
becomes an eye-opening education with Dilley's excellent and
detailed examination. The themes of cemetery art and architecture,
accompanied by beautiful color photographs throughout, apply to any
cemetery, anywhere in the United States. In my opinion, that alone
is worth the price of the book.--Diana E. Barrett "Grand Rapids
historian and member of the Grand Rapids Historical Commission"
The Art of Memory is an amazing walk through the cemeteries of
Grand Rapids. What lies beneath the beautifully landscaped and
sculpted monument-lined rows are stories that speak louder than one
can possibly imagine. Dilley's skill in telling the history of
Grand Rapids' past residents is equal to his remarkable knowledge
of them. The voices of those long ago will definitely speak to you
in this outstanding book.--Sheila Pantlind
The Art of Memory is the complete package. It contains a history of
Grand Rapids citizens and a history of cemetery development. The
stories told are local, but the understanding of the layout of a
cemetery, the thinking of different eras, and the symbolism of the
monuments is universal. I have had the pleasure of touring
cemeteries with Thomas Dilley. This book captures the passion and
depth of knowledge he has for this topic.--Gina Bivins "president
of the Grand Rapids Historical Society"
The beautiful cemeteries here in Grand Rapids of which Dilley
writes are the flowering of a very real and necessary human need.
If they become merely relics of the past, we will be losing
something essential to our humanity.--Conor Dugan "Bridge: The
Center for Michigan"
Tom Dilley, in his lifelong work, has been able to delve into the
largest and smallest of the graveyards in Grand Rapids. During this
trip he gives the reader insight into how and why these burial
grounds have come into being, who the citizens are that reside
there, and why these places are of such importance. The Art of
Memory is a thorough and enjoyable work that is sure to engage any
students of cemeteries, Grand Rapids, or regional history.--Tim
Gleisner "manager of special collections at the Grand Rapids Public
Library"
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