Mount Moriah Cemetery, Cemetery in Philadelphia, US
Mount Moriah Cemetery is a large burial ground in southwestern Philadelphia, established in 1855 and covering around 380 acres. Old trees, wide paths, and gravestones of many shapes run across the grounds, which are bordered by the surrounding Kingsessing neighborhood.
The cemetery was founded in 1855 as one of Philadelphia's rural burial grounds, at a time when the land lay well outside the city. In the late 20th century, upkeep declined sharply, and the site was officially closed in 2011 when ownership became unclear.
The cemetery is known for its Masonic Circle, a secluded area where many members of the Freemason fraternal order are buried. A large monument to William B. Schneider, a Masonic leader, stands at its center and features the square and compass symbol.
The main entrance is along Kingsessing Avenue and the grounds are generally open during daylight hours. Some areas remain hard to reach and may have thorns or poison ivy, so sturdy footwear and a map from the Friends of Mount Moriah are helpful before you set out.
A flagpole just outside the Masonic Circle once marked the original burial spot of Betsy Ross, the seamstress credited with making the first American flag. Whether her remains were correctly moved to the Betsy Ross House in 1976 is still a matter of doubt.
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