When compared to most of the rest of the world, American history consists of a rather brief few-hundred-year period. Other continents had seen empires rise and fall or built wondrous cathedrals and massive castles long before Christopher Columbus was yet a twinkle in his
mother’s eye. Just because we’re young doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pay attention to history, however. So let’s smarten up together, like those who know to visit funeral homes in Baltimore, MD for their funerary needs, and learn about some of the oldest and most interesting cemeteries in the country.
Myles Standish Burial Ground, est. 1638
Located in Duxbury, Massachusetts, Myles Standish is the oldest maintained cemetery in the US. It’s rather diminutive at a mere 1.5-acres, but what it lacks in real estate it compensates for with the prestige of its residents. This graveyard hosts several well-known Pilgrims that arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, including its Captain, the eponymous Myles Standish.
Granary Burying Ground, est. 1660
Another Massachusetts cemetery, the Burying Ground is located on Tremont Street in Boston. Notable American citizens like Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and Paul Hancock all lay within. Don’t count on rubbing shoulders with the country’s historical elite in the afterlife, however – space is limited! Though the cemetery bears 2,345 grave markers, experts believe as many as 5,000 bodies are buried here.
Green-Wood Cemetery, est. 1838
With real estate prices climbing ever upward in New York City, can you imagine what 478-acres in West Brooklyn might sell for today? That’s the size of the sprawling Green-Wood cemetery, filled with beautiful sculptures, massive mausoleums, and koi ponds. This cemetery was designed in the rural style, referring to a period in the mid-nineteenth century when graveyards were
designed more like parks, with lots of room to roam, curated gardens, and public artworks for people to enjoy.
Bonaventure Cemetery, est. 1846
Not just one of the oldest but also one of the most famous cemeteries on this list, Bonaventure is located just east of Savannah, Georgia. Like Green-Wood, these grounds were designed in the rural style to encourage public access and use. This graveyard became famous after it was featured as a key location in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, both the novel and film.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, est. 1849
Yes, that Sleepy Hollow. This graveyard holds its fair share of formerly living famous figures, including the very person responsible for writing the nightmarish tale which made its name so famous, Washington Irving. Written in 1820, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is actually set at an adjacent burying ground of a church, the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow.
For as little of it as there is, American history is rich and colorful. Its cemeteries are no different and can be found in every size, layout, and location imaginable, ranging from the everyday to extraordinary. No matter where you end up, make the decision to speak with funeral homes before you arrive to ensure you’re properly prepared for your final resting place.
You can learn more about funeral homes in Baltimore, MD. Talk to us at Hari P. Close Funeral Service, P.A. to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our office in Baltimore or call our location.
