Today is the anniversary of the death in 1937 of famed Providence resident and fantasy writer H.P. Lovecraft. The Swan Point Cemetery crew knows to expect visitors to the grave site on this day, people often wearing black who respectfully leave little bits and bobs and coins on the stone. To some extent this goes on all year, and it seems to be well-tolerated by the proprietors, but they do have to keep things neat for the “neighbors” and occasionally curate the offerings.
Phil Eil at the Phoenix has a great interview this week with Lovecraft scholar, and much-beloved west end character, Niels S. Hobbs who will be giving a lecture — “Gods”: Atheism and the Cthulhu Mythos — on March 21st at the RIHS. Also on tap for Lovecraftians,
On March 23, the RIHS will host a “literary walk” pointing out significant landmarks from Lovecraft stories. On April 7, the H.P. Lovecraft Commemorative Activities Committee will hold its annual tribute service on the lawn of Brown’s Ladd Observatory, followed by a march to Swan Point Cemetery and Lovecraft’s legendary “I AM PROVIDENCE” headstone.
Hobbs is also one of the organizers of NecronomiConProvidence 2013 to be held in town this August. And go check out the article for a picture of the bronze bust that will soon find a home in the Providence Athenaeum.