Take a closer look at the granite pillars at Vale Cemetery’s original Nott Terrace entrance (which is now the gate to Vale Park) and spot the owls; there are eight of them with their wings spread, looking down on you as you pass by.
While not as common as doves (on the graves of children) or eagles (sometimes found on soldiers’ monuments), the owl was an appropriate motif for a cemetery gate as the nocturnal bird not only symbolizes wisdom, but a guardian and protector of the departed in several ancient cultures, including Celtic and Egyptian.
The granite pillars were built under the supervision of Albany architect Albert Fuller by McMullen Brothers of Schenectady and the iron gates were produced by the well-known Albany foundry of James McKinney.
The granite pillars still stand and some parts of the ironwork remain, though the main portion of the gate no longer exists.
An archway reading VALE PARK has been added since this part of the Cemetery was sold to the City of Schenectady to create a public park.
The carved owls serve as the inspiration for our holiday tree at the Schenectady County Historical Association's 2025 Festival of Trees.
Adapted from a post on our Facebook page
