Juniper Hill Cemetery, historic cemetery in Bristol, Rhode Island
Juniper Hill Cemetery is a 22-acre burial ground in Bristol, Rhode Island, designed with winding lanes that follow the natural contours of the land. The grounds feature several historic structures, including a stone archway entrance built in 1876, a Victorian Gothic gate lodge, and a Spanish Revival chapel from 1913 that now serves as a storage building.
The cemetery was established in 1855 when land was donated by descendants of the DeWolf family to serve Bristol's growing population during the 19th century. Its design by Niles Bierragaard Schubarth reflected the rural cemetery movement of the period, featuring natural winding paths rather than rigid formal layouts.
The name comes from the juniper trees scattered across the grounds, which shape how the place looks and feels. The variety of gravestones from different eras shows how families chose to honor their dead, reflecting changing tastes over generations.
The grounds are easy to navigate, with clear pathways that make walking straightforward and suitable for a gentle stroll. The area is well-maintained with trimmed grass and accessible paths, making it convenient for a peaceful visit at any time.
What stands out is that many buried here held positions of national importance, including state governors and a US Senator, giving the cemetery deeper historical weight. The naval engineer Nathaniel Greene Herreshoff, known for designing ships, is also laid to rest here.
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