Mount Hope Cemetery, cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts
Mount Hope Cemetery is a 125-acre active burial ground in Boston founded in 1852 and purchased by the city in 1857. The grounds contain historic sections in 19th-century style alongside modern areas, including a dedicated section for military veterans.
The cemetery was established in 1852 when Boston's older burial grounds became overcrowded and posed health concerns. The city took over management in 1857, adopting the garden cemetery style that was popular at the time, with winding paths and planted trees.
The cemetery reflects Boston's diversity through sections dedicated to different ethnic groups, veterans organizations, and local fraternal societies. These varied areas show how different communities have been woven into the fabric of the city over time.
The cemetery is located on Walk Hill Street in the Roslindale and Mattapan neighborhoods and opens daily, with shorter hours during colder months. Visitors should note that the office is staffed on weekdays and some Saturdays, and maps are available at the entrance or online.
A section of the cemetery known as Cypress Vale was used for burying the city's poor and functioned as a Potter's Field, a designated area for those who could not afford marked graves. This overlooked section tells an important story about the less visible people in Boston's history.
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