What if the quietest places in our towns held the loudest lessons?
In this moving and deeply personal talk, Megan Barnes invites us on a journey that begins in an old cemetery—and leads to a powerful revelation about legacy, memory, and the people who shaped the very ground we walk on.
While exploring headstones and histories, one name stood out: Myrtilla Miner. A forgotten educator who defied the norms of her time.
Through Myrtilla’s life, and the lives of countless others buried beneath our feet, Megan reminds us that everyone has a story worth telling, and that the best way to honor the past is to live a life worth remembering.
“Live like someone is going to tell your story someday.” Megan Barnes never expected to go viral when she started cleaning headstones in Central New York’s cemeteries, but her passion for preservation has now introduced millions of people to the forgotten histories of surrounding tiny towns. An Earth Science teacher at Madison Central School, Megan began documenting her work—restoring graves and uncovering the stories behind them—on TikTok. What started as a small project quickly gained traction, with her most-watched video surpassing 20 million views.Using meticulous research and careful restoration techniques, Megan has revitalized nearly 500 headstones, ensuring that the early settlers and everyday people who shaped her community are not lost to time. Her work not only honors the past but also sparks conversations about history, memory, and the way we care for those who came before us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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