Farmington resident and local author Connie Nordstrom has released a new book about Greenlawn Cemetery, called “Greenlawn: A History of Farmington Pioneer Cemetery, Established 1896.”

It details the legacy of the cemetery, which holds keys to the city’s past. 

“This is where all the pioneers are buried. And they are all buried here, all the people who came here and built a town from nothing,” Nordstrom told KOB.

Nordstrom has spent many hours at the cemetery, learning about its history, including an old tradition she has revived. Every year, she holds a “Dine with the Dead” evening.

“Last year we portrayed 10 or 12 different people buried in the cemetery,” Nordstrom said. “A lot of people think that is weird going to the cemetery to eat dinner, but it was common in Victorian times because the cemetery was often the nicest place in town.”

The event is held so attendees can learn about the cemetery and discover secrets of the past through the headstones, some of which have been around for more than 100 years. 

“There are clues in the stones," Nordstrom said. "That’s the thing about cemeteries it is the clues.” 

Some stones predate Greenlawn’s founding in 1896, according to KOB.

“That’s the mysteries of cemeteries because they are lost to time, sometimes the names and dates, unless they were really influential people in the community, they become lost,” Nordstrom said. “Three babies die on the same day. What happened? Was it a tragic accident? Were they sick? It’s just a mystery, so I go digging.” 

Through her book and “Dining with the Dead” events, Nordstrom hopes to give new life to these old stories. 

“It’s just carrying on an old-fashioned tradition," Nordstrom said. "People love coming and hearing the stories of early Farmington.”