Location: Pineland Cemetery
City: New Gloucester, Maine
At the beginning of August, 2008 TonyL and I (KatM) took a drive out to New Gloucester to observe the gravesites of the numerous patients who died while in the care and/or under the guardianship of the Pinelands institution. We’re still researching the matter but the history of Pinelands, as a mental health institution, really preceded its very name up until the most recent of times. The accounts of patient maltreatment, abuse, neglect, and abhorrent human condition that plagued the earlier days of this facility have given rise to notions that those who passed-on while confined to Pinelands never really left this place; and some may still haunt the location of their final resting spot.
Another aspect of the Pinelands burial ground, which is of the utmost importance in the record of Maine’s social history, would be the exhumation and relocation of the Malaga Island graveyard. It’s hard to imagine the state of Maine taking part in a racial movement so heinous it remains one of the deepest, darkest, skeletons in the closet of our social misgivings to this very day. Malaga Island, now known as Harbor Island, was once considered a safe haven for African-Americans and other “lower class” citizens of the state of Maine during times of slavery, Civil War, and the reconstruction era. Malaga Island was home to citizens of various social and economic backgrounds. Those inhabitants of Malaga very much depended on each other, the land, and the sea for their very survival. Even though they lived a remote and often destitute existence the residents of Malaga often posed little issue to mainlanders, in presence or political clout. If there were ever a time the cliché “they kept to themselves” would apply, I would figure it would fit here, the best.
Given its location and remoteness from the rest of the State it would make sense that those African-Americans and poverty stricken “Whites” would keep to themselves and make as little waves as possible when bringing attention to their situation. They had a good thing over on Malaga Island. They didn’t bother the mainlanders and the mainlanders didn’t bother them. That was, until, out-of-staters decided that Malaga Island was a beautiful refuge for summer emigrants, such as themselves, looking for a rocky coast to perch for a couple of months each year. It was then that the racial and socio-economic clash began, and the systematic and forced removal of all those persons who “scarred” the beautiful coastline of Maine with their low-class lifestyle was put into motion.
The governor of Maine declared, without conscience and without apology, that all African-Americans of Malaga Island were to be removed, whether they wanted to leave, or not; and went so far as to remove their dead from Malaga’s graveyards, having them interred 40 miles away in the cemetery of the Pineland Institution which was, itself, an institution of lost children and people who were “thrown-away” by family and forgotten by society. The unwilling and unwanted exhumation of entire families from Malaga, reburied in a location many of them had probably never even been to before, in life... The destitution of these people and their lack of ability to defend themselves and the places they called “home”, in life, and in death, must have been overwhelming. Their displacement forever left a mark on the dark history the State of Maine goes to great lengths to hide. It is for these reasons, and many others I have yet to mention, that we take stock in the notion that Pineland Cemetery may, indeed, be haunted by those souls seeking a fair and just resolution to their unfair treatment in life and in death.
We did not proceed with an official investigation at this location but we did scope out the area to determine how to best go about conducting one. The cemetery is in a field that is open to the road, as well as to an adjacent cemetery called “Webber Cemetery”. Pineland Cemetery is located near the tree line to a wooded area and the grounds seem to be meticulously maintained. The grave markers are uniformly plain, lacking any sort of artistry or design, or personal creativity denoting the “person” each exists for. While it may appear to have the uniformity of a veteran’s cemetery, this is a mere façade. At least at a veteran’s cemetery there are symbols denoting each veteran’s accomplishments, dates of birth and death, and many times they are accompanied by a spouse, the latter at least expressing they’re loved, missed, and appreciated. The grave markers at Pineland Cemetery are just that, markers. Some lack birth dates, all lack any information other than birth, death, and name. There are a few cases of multiple persons buried extremely close together, apparently “siblings” in some cases, but never an epitaph discerning their relation (if they have one).
While on location TonyL claims to have had an experience we tried to get on digital camera and on tape but couldn’t because the battery to my video camera was sucked dry, and all of the photos we took after TonyL announced that the “experience” was taking place came out purple and blurry. My camera batteries for this digital camera also went from “full” to “dying” in an extremely short period of time. We are planning a return nighttime trip with “permission” in hand by the proper authorities in the next 2 months.
City: New Gloucester, Maine
At the beginning of August, 2008 TonyL and I (KatM) took a drive out to New Gloucester to observe the gravesites of the numerous patients who died while in the care and/or under the guardianship of the Pinelands institution. We’re still researching the matter but the history of Pinelands, as a mental health institution, really preceded its very name up until the most recent of times. The accounts of patient maltreatment, abuse, neglect, and abhorrent human condition that plagued the earlier days of this facility have given rise to notions that those who passed-on while confined to Pinelands never really left this place; and some may still haunt the location of their final resting spot.
Another aspect of the Pinelands burial ground, which is of the utmost importance in the record of Maine’s social history, would be the exhumation and relocation of the Malaga Island graveyard. It’s hard to imagine the state of Maine taking part in a racial movement so heinous it remains one of the deepest, darkest, skeletons in the closet of our social misgivings to this very day. Malaga Island, now known as Harbor Island, was once considered a safe haven for African-Americans and other “lower class” citizens of the state of Maine during times of slavery, Civil War, and the reconstruction era. Malaga Island was home to citizens of various social and economic backgrounds. Those inhabitants of Malaga very much depended on each other, the land, and the sea for their very survival. Even though they lived a remote and often destitute existence the residents of Malaga often posed little issue to mainlanders, in presence or political clout. If there were ever a time the cliché “they kept to themselves” would apply, I would figure it would fit here, the best.
Given its location and remoteness from the rest of the State it would make sense that those African-Americans and poverty stricken “Whites” would keep to themselves and make as little waves as possible when bringing attention to their situation. They had a good thing over on Malaga Island. They didn’t bother the mainlanders and the mainlanders didn’t bother them. That was, until, out-of-staters decided that Malaga Island was a beautiful refuge for summer emigrants, such as themselves, looking for a rocky coast to perch for a couple of months each year. It was then that the racial and socio-economic clash began, and the systematic and forced removal of all those persons who “scarred” the beautiful coastline of Maine with their low-class lifestyle was put into motion.
The governor of Maine declared, without conscience and without apology, that all African-Americans of Malaga Island were to be removed, whether they wanted to leave, or not; and went so far as to remove their dead from Malaga’s graveyards, having them interred 40 miles away in the cemetery of the Pineland Institution which was, itself, an institution of lost children and people who were “thrown-away” by family and forgotten by society. The unwilling and unwanted exhumation of entire families from Malaga, reburied in a location many of them had probably never even been to before, in life... The destitution of these people and their lack of ability to defend themselves and the places they called “home”, in life, and in death, must have been overwhelming. Their displacement forever left a mark on the dark history the State of Maine goes to great lengths to hide. It is for these reasons, and many others I have yet to mention, that we take stock in the notion that Pineland Cemetery may, indeed, be haunted by those souls seeking a fair and just resolution to their unfair treatment in life and in death.
We did not proceed with an official investigation at this location but we did scope out the area to determine how to best go about conducting one. The cemetery is in a field that is open to the road, as well as to an adjacent cemetery called “Webber Cemetery”. Pineland Cemetery is located near the tree line to a wooded area and the grounds seem to be meticulously maintained. The grave markers are uniformly plain, lacking any sort of artistry or design, or personal creativity denoting the “person” each exists for. While it may appear to have the uniformity of a veteran’s cemetery, this is a mere façade. At least at a veteran’s cemetery there are symbols denoting each veteran’s accomplishments, dates of birth and death, and many times they are accompanied by a spouse, the latter at least expressing they’re loved, missed, and appreciated. The grave markers at Pineland Cemetery are just that, markers. Some lack birth dates, all lack any information other than birth, death, and name. There are a few cases of multiple persons buried extremely close together, apparently “siblings” in some cases, but never an epitaph discerning their relation (if they have one). While on location TonyL claims to have had an experience we tried to get on digital camera and on tape but couldn’t because the battery to my video camera was sucked dry, and all of the photos we took after TonyL announced that the “experience” was taking place came out purple and blurry. My camera batteries for this digital camera also went from “full” to “dying” in an extremely short period of time. We are planning a return nighttime trip with “permission” in hand by the proper authorities in the next 2 months.
I work at pinelands at night, you don't know half of what happens there!
ReplyDeleteI worked for a company that has many clients that were residents of pineland at one point. My brother works in pineland now and he has never said anything about it being haunted. However i have heard stories of about pineland and the way people were treated. It doesnt surprise me that its haunted by many spirts. But it cool too see someone take interest in this.
ReplyDeleteI live almost next door? I have heard plenty of of horror stories about what pineland was all about! I cant wait to see what happens when you investigate further! To bad you cant get access to one of the old buildings for a night! I would love to know what wildman has seen!
ReplyDelete