Cedar Grove Cemetery, cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States
Cedar Grove Cemetery is a historic burial ground in Portsmouth featuring Greek Revival architecture and more than 4,000 graves spanning generations. The grounds hold a collection of headstones and monuments with varying designs, many displaying elaborate carved sculptures in Greek Revival, Victorian, and Exotic Revival styles.
The cemetery was founded in 1831 as the first burial ground in Portsmouth independent of religious institutions. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places protects it as a significant historical site and has prevented new burials from being added to the grounds.
Cedar Grove Cemetery was created in 1831 as Portsmouth's first burial ground open to people of all faiths, not tied to any church or religious organization. This made it a place where the community could gather to honor the deceased regardless of their beliefs.
The cemetery can be accessed on foot or by car via Fort Lane and features informational signs about selected graves and monuments throughout the grounds. Visitors are expected to maintain a respectful demeanor, stay on designated paths, and help preserve the site as an active memorial space.
The cemetery holds the graves of several figures who shaped local history, including John Porter, designer of the first American ironclad warship. Their resting places create a tangible connection to Portsmouth's past and the diverse contributions these individuals made to the region's development.
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