Hidden Gem: Vernon Grove Cemetery

It might seem strange recommending a cemetery as a place to visit, to find a hidden gem, but that's exactly what we're going to do.

Because we'll bet that few people know some of the oldest gravestones in Milford are tucked into the middle of . They're not hard to find. They are made of slate, and stand out from the marble markers.

The slate headstones mark the graves of Milford's first settlers, who died in the mid-1700s. To put that in perspective, that's when Massachusetts was still a colony of England. The town is trying to have several of them repositioned, as they are leaning or sinking in many places.

Vernon Grove Cemetery, the town cemetery, is a hidden gem. Its paved paths are a destination for people who just want a little peace and quiet. Runners and walkers frequent the cemetery in the early morning and late afternoon, to avoid car traffic. It's a nice, quiet space to unwind for a few minutes.