History in Bricks and Bones: Recent Discoveries in Old North Church’s Crypt

Recorded December 14, 2023. Established in 1732, Old North Church’s crypt has received the mortal remains of wealthy aristocrats, revered clergy, and military heroes, along with those of ordinary citizens, and persons otherwise forgotten to history. 2023 marked the completion of an extensive preservation and restoration project in this historic crypt, which included the removal and restoration of sealed tomb doors. A team of archaeologists was there for this rare opportunity to document the tombs and the burials that lie within. Jane Lyden Rousseau, an osteoarchaeologist and burials specialist who worked on this unique project, spoke about the intriguing finds archaeologists discovered during the recent renovation project, and how this work was conducted without disturbance to the burials. Learn about the strange and storied history of the burial crypt of the Old North Church, customs of death and burial in historic New England, and why for many a “final resting place” may not have always been final. This talk includes mentions of death, burial, and human remains. No photographs of human remains will be shown out of respect for the deceased.