White Bronze – Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Last weekend, some friends and I went on a cemetery road trip in the Burks Falls area. I was really surprised at the amount of white bronze markers that we found. Almost every cemetery we visited had 1 or more zinkys. I had never come across that many before. They are not a common sight in my local Sudbury cemeteries.

So for today’s blog post, I thought I would share a collection of white bronze markers.

In January 2022, I wrote a post that looked more into the history of these unique gravestones. Zinkys as they are lovingly referred to, are also known as white bronze. You can recognize these types of headstones by their bluish-grey color, and if you give them a gentle tap, it should produce a hollow metallic sound.

These types of gravestones never came back into fashion after World War I, but because of their durability, you can still find them in great condition.

Emsdale United Church Cemetery also known as Emanuel United Church Cemetery, Emsdale ON ©2022

Midlothian Memorial Cemetery, Midlothian ON ©2023

Although these markers are very durable, they do sometimes get damaged. According to Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider, in the United States during the prohibition era, it was claimed that bootleggers would pry the panels off of these monuments to hide their contraband booze. I am curious if this was also a practice in Canada, as I have found some markers with their panels pried off.

Hurdville Cemetery, Hurdville ON ©2023

Emsdale United Church Cemetery also known as Emanuel United Church Cemetery, Emsdale ON ©2022

Have you found some of these unique gravestones in your local cemeteries? Do you have a favorite design? I would love to read about it in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards by Tui Snider

Have you ever heard of Zinkys? You may have come across one or two in your cemetery travels. I know I have, but it has only been until recently that I discovered what these beautiful gravestones are. That is one of the many things I love about my cemetery community, I am always learning new things from my fellow taphophiles.

St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sturgeon Falls ON ©2021

Zinkys as they are lovingly referred to, is also known as white bronze. They look very similar to carved stone headstones, but they are made from a zinc alloy and are hollow. These monuments were generally less expensive than carved stone, and are a lot more durable. You will often find intricate designs on white bronze headstones, that are still perfectly legible. You can recognize a white bronze headstone by its bluish-grey color, and giving it a gentle tap should produce a hollow sound.

According to Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider, in the United States during the prohibition era, it was claimed that bootleggers would sometimes pry the panels off of these metal monuments to hide their booze.

Here in Canada, the White Bronze Company of St. Thomas, Ontario produced zinkys from 1883 to 1900. It was a child company of Monumental Bronze Co. of Bridgeport, Connecticut.¹ According to Connecticuthistory.org, Monumental Bronze Co. only produced white bronze between 1874 and 1914. In 1914, World War I saw the facilities turn from creating pure zinc tombstones to creating gun mounts and munitions.² After the war, it seemed that tastes had changed, and public demand shifted to other natural materials for grave markers.

These blue-grey markers are truly beautiful in person. They range in size and detail, but I always find myself fascinated by how perfectly intact they are. I have come across a couple of broken ones, where a cross or spire has been broken off, but the names of the deceased are always legible.

Since learning about them, I have kept an eye out for them in my cemetery travels, and have been rewarded a few times this summer. I look forward to finding more in my travels.

Have you come across and zinkys in your cemetery travels? I would love to read about it in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

The St. Thomas White Bronze Company: A Diffusion of Innovations Perspective | ResearchGate
Monumental Bronze Company | Connecticut History

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Tag: White Bronze

A Collection of White Bronze

White bronze, also known as Zinkys