Strange Inheritance Season 2 Episode 15 Oswald's Gravestone

Oswald's Gravestone is the fifteenth episode in the second season of the popular reality TV series Strange Inheritance. The show follows the unique inheritance stories of families across America as they inherit unusual, unexpected, or valuable items from their loved ones.

In this episode, we meet John Oswald, a historian, and collector of American Civil War artifacts. Oswald had spent his life accumulating an impressive collection of more than 6,000 pieces related to the Civil War. But when he passed away, his family was left with an unusual inheritance - Oswald's ashes and his gravestone.

The story of Oswald's Gravestone begins in Louisville, Kentucky, where Oswald had grown up. He had served in the Navy during World War II and had become a passionate collector of Civil War artifacts. Over the decades, he had amassed a collection that included everything from rare rifles and swords to letters and diaries written by soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

But while Oswald's collection was impressive, his final wishes left his family with a dilemma. He had expressed a desire to have his ashes buried with his beloved Civil War collection. However, the family quickly discovered that this request was not possible. Cemeteries and funeral homes are not permitted to bury human remains with artifacts or other items.

Undeterred, Oswald's family found a unique solution. They purchased a gravestone that featured a carved image of a Civil War soldier on horseback, along with a plaque that detailed Oswald's role as a historian and collector. They placed the gravestone in a prominent location in their family plot, where Oswald's ashes could be interred nearby.

However, this solution was far from perfect. The family found themselves in possession of a massive and expensive gravestone that they had no use for. They worried that it would deteriorate and become a burden for future generations.

Enter Martin Willis, a fellow Civil War historian and collector who had heard about Oswald's collection and gravestone. Willis offered to buy the gravestone from the family and place it in his own collection.

The episode follows the process of moving the massive gravestone halfway across the country from Kentucky to Massachusetts. Martin Willis shares his excitement about adding the unique artifact to his incredible collection of Civil War artifacts.

Throughout the episode, we also get to see rare footage of Oswald's collection, including his vast library of books, diaries, and letters. We learn about the work he did to preserve the memory of soldiers on both sides of the conflict and how his family hopes to continue that work in his honor.

The episode is a poignant reminder of the ways in which inheritance can take on many different forms. While some people leave behind valuable assets like property or cash, others leave behind unique collections, stories, and memories. Oswald's Gravestone is a testament to the passion, dedication, and love that one man had for American history and the ways in which that legacy can be carried forward by his family and fellow collectors alike.

Overall, Strange Inheritance season 2 episode 15, Oswald's Gravestone, is a fascinating and heartwarming glimpse into the lives of American Civil War historians and collectors. It tells the story of one man's unique legacy and the ways in which his family and friends honored his memory.