When is the last time you visited a cemetery unlike any other? Once you get a closer look at the gravestones here at Chester Village Cemetery, you’ll see that these are uniquely carved and hauntingly beautiful. There’s something eerie and unique about this location, but are you brave enough to see for yourself? If you like mildly spooky scenarios, add this cemetery to your bucket list for a future visit.
OnlyInYourState does not condone trespassing, vandalism, or loitering. Please make sure you have any necessary permissions to be somewhere before you visit a property like this.
Welcome to today’s unique beauty, a spot in Chester, New Hampshire that is equal parts creepy and historically beautiful.
Jeff L/Flickr
Not only is this cemetery a beautiful scene, but it’s also quite historic and unique. Once you take a closer look inside the gates, you’ll see that these aren’t your usual headstones…
Jeff L/Flickr
Gravestones are often carved with cherubs and angels, so it isn’t that strange to have faces on display. In fact, carved faces are quite common in the New England area. However, Chester is unique in that many of these stones instead scowl or frown instead of smile, almost as if to scare off visitors.
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
Stone carvers Abel and Stephen Webster were responsible for many of these late 1700s faces, but there doesn’t seem to be a reason why these faces are so upset. Unique to Chester, the mystery has never been solved.
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
Some speculate that it was displeasure with unpaid bills, and others have guessed that it has something to do with how the person led their life and whether the Webster brothers thought they would get into heaven or not.
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
It could be one of these, or as simple as one brother preferring smiles and the other frowns. No matter the reason, the impact of scowling faces on gravestones is one that is hard to forget.
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
Regardless of the real reason they are unhappy, these faces are sure to haunt many people’s minds for a while. Even these photos are plenty spooky.
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
Chester, New Hampshire doesn’t have a dedicated website for this cemetery, but we ask that all visitors please respect the property. For more information about the town’s history, check out the Chester Historical Society website.
Jeff L/Flickr
Frank Reynolds NH/Google
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Address: Village Cemetery, 19 Raymond Rd, Chester, NH 03036, USA
