Visit Rock of Ages Quarry and Hope Cemetery

After the War of 1812, Barre saw the establishment of granite quarries, which are still in use today. You can tour the Rock of Ages quarry, the largest quarry in the world at 450 feet deep, 550 feet long, and a quarter of a mile wide. The incredibly fine grain of barre granite makes it the stone of choice for intricate, long-lasting exterior sculpture, such as monuments and architectural details. While there, in addition to visiting the quarry and workshops, you may bowl on what is thought to be the only outdoor granite lane in the world and sandblast your own granite keepsake.

Many of the skilled stone carvers that came to Barre were from Italy, as might be expected, and you can see examples of their work in Hope Cemetery and public statues. This is covered in intricate carvings made by stonecutters in the early 20th century, emphasized by some amazingly lifelike sculptures and by images representing occupations or hobbies, such as a soccer ball, an oil tanker, or an outdoor scene with a fishing pole.

Address: 558 Graniteville Road, Graniteville, Vermont

Phone: +1 802-476-6245

Google rating: 4.8/5.0