Set in Stone: A graveyard typography tour

Explore the history of lettering on a tour of St. James Cemetery, featuring ornate inscriptions, historic type styles and Victorian design. Join Carl Shura and Jamie Chang, type designers and educators, for a 90-minute walking tour exploring the lettering, typography and ornamentation found throughout St. James Cemetery. Established in 1844, St. James Cemetery is Toronto’s oldest cemetery still in use and a remarkable place to discover the history of inscriptional lettering and stone carving. Together, we’ll explore 18th- and 19th-century letterforms, monumental inscriptions and the styles that influenced the craftspeople behind them. From ornate lettering and carved details to Victorian Gothic architecture, tombstones and mausoleums, we’ll uncover the many typographic styles found throughout this National Historic Site and explore how lettering has evolved across generations. Please note: In the event of rain or if a memorial service or interment is taking place at the cemetery during the scheduled time, the tour will be postponed to the following day. Attendees who are unable to attend on the rescheduled date will receive a refund.