Fair Hill Burial Ground, cemetery in Philadelphia
Fair Hill Burial Ground is a cemetery in Philadelphia where William Penn granted land to George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, in the 1690s. The site holds plain graves surrounded by gardens, trees, and an arboretum with large oaks and sycamores providing shade throughout the grounds. Walking from the Cambria gate, visitors find paths lined with historical markers and a garden showing crops grown by Native Americans, English Quakers, Germans, and African Americans across different periods.
George Fox granted this land to the Quakers in 1691 for use as a meeting place, school, burial ground, and play space. During the American Revolution, a small brick meetinghouse was built here and later served as a field hospital for soldiers. The site witnessed key moments in American history and became a burial place for leaders in the fight for freedom and equality.
The burial ground reflects Quaker beliefs in simplicity and equality. Graves are marked with plain stones bearing only names and dates, creating a humble space where everyone is honored the same way. This approach shapes how the site feels when you walk through it today.
The grounds are open from dawn to dusk and easily accessible by bus, subway, and train. Free guided tours run from spring through fall, covering topics like Black history, women's contributions, and trees, with most programs available without advance booking. Paths are walkable and suitable for visitors of different abilities.
An underground vault once stored bodies during frozen winters when the ground was too hard to dig. This practical solution reveals how the community cared for the dead while adapting to the region's harsh seasons and preserving dignity in burial practices.
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