Valley Cemetery, Historic cemetery in Manchester, US
Valley Cemetery is a 20-acre burial ground between Pine Street, Auburn Street, Willow Street, and Valley Street in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. The property contains 13 private mausoleums housing notable figures such as former New Hampshire governor Frederick Smyth and several Manchester mayors.
The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company donated this land in 1840 for a public burial ground, with official establishment occurring in 1841. The company was instrumental in Manchester's development and used this gift to support the expanding city.
The cemetery displays Victorian design principles with paths and bridges woven into natural landscapes. This reflects how people in the 19th century expressed mourning and remembrance through outdoor spaces.
Visitors should know the site is managed by the Department of Public Works and accessible during business hours. It is helpful to wear comfortable shoes for walking the paths and bridges across the 20-acre property.
The property houses 13 private mausoleums that stand apart from typical gravestones and reflect the wealth of earlier prominent residents. These architectural structures offer a rare look at how affluent families in the city chose to place their graves in the 19th century.
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