Mount Auburn Cemetery is a 175-acre burial ground, arboretum and wildlife sanctuary in Cambridge, west of Boston. Founded in 1831, it was the first garden cemetery in the United States. Its paths pass ponds, gardens, unusual trees, sculptures and historic graves, including those of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and museum founder Isabella Stewart Gardner. Look for the sphinx and the varied memorial architecture, or climb Washington Tower for views across Boston and Cambridge when it is open. Bring comfortable shoes for the rolling grounds and a quiet, respectful approach.
A garden cemetery founded in 1831
Mount Auburn was established in 1831 as a burial ground designed with landscaped grounds in mind. Its creation drew on the idea that a cemetery could provide space for remembrance as well as a place for the public to walk among trees and gardens. The design helped establish the garden cemetery as a model in the United States.
The cemetery lies in Cambridge, near the Watertown line, west of Boston. Its wooded, rolling landscape includes ponds, garden areas and thousands of trees, shrubs and other plants. It is also a National Historic Landmark and an active, non-denominational cemetery. Treat the grounds first as a place of burial and remembrance: keep your voice low and give mourners privacy as you explore.
Memorials, sculpture and notable graves
The grounds bring together monuments and burial architecture from different periods. Look for the sphinx, statues and elaborate mausoleums as you follow the paths. Bigelow Chapel is another architectural landmark within the cemetery. The grounds are large, and a map can help you locate particular memorials and burial sites.
Among those buried here are poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, artist Winslow Homer, Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy and Isabella Stewart Gardner, whose name is also associated with Boston’s Gardner Museum. The cemetery is also the final resting place of architect Charles Bulfinch. These individual graves sit among many other memorials, so a walk can be as much about the landscape and sculpture as about finding specific names.
Trees, birds and views from Washington Tower
Mount Auburn’s plant collection includes thousands of trees and other plants from around the world, with more than 5,000 trees representing hundreds of species. The ponds, woodland and varied plantings create habitat for wildlife, and the cemetery is a well-known place for birdwatching. Spring mornings are a good time to look for birds, including migrants. In autumn, the changing leaves bring color to the grounds.
Washington Tower is one of the cemetery’s main viewpoints. When it is open, visitors can climb the stairs for a panorama over Boston and Cambridge. Access is seasonal, and the tower may be closed in winter; the hill offers a view even when the tower is not available. The paths and elevation make comfortable shoes useful, especially if you plan to explore beyond the entrance area.
Planning a visit
Mount Auburn is at 580 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge. Free and paid parking are available, along with free street parking. The entrance and parking areas are wheelchair accessible, though the cemetery’s paths and hills may affect how easily you can reach different parts of the grounds.
A map from the main building can help you plan a route to the graves, monuments or plant specimens that interest you. You can also leave time to watch birds around the water features or pause in the gardens. In winter, the annual Solstice: Reflections on Winter Light event brings outdoor light and sound installations together with indoor live music and candle lighting; check the cemetery’s website for event details before making plans.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is Mount Auburn Cemetery free to visit?
One visitor account describes exploring the grounds for free. The supplied information does not give an official admission policy, so check the cemetery’s website before your visit.
How long should I spend at Mount Auburn Cemetery?
The grounds cover 175 acres, with winding paths, ponds, memorials and gardens. The information provided does not specify a typical visit length.
Can you climb Washington Tower in winter?
The tower may be closed during winter. The hill below it still provides an open view.
What can you see at Mount Auburn Cemetery?
The grounds include historic graves, monuments, mausoleums, a sphinx, ponds and extensive plantings. Longfellow and Isabella Stewart Gardner are among those buried there.
