Mount Auburn Cemetery

Overview

Mount Auburn Cemetery (1831) in Cambridge was America's first landscaped cemetery, pioneering the "rural cemetery" movement that later inspired urban parks like Central Park. Its 175 acres of hills, ponds, and 5,000+ trees make it a premier birding destination and arboretum.

Highlights

• Washington Tower: Climb the 62-foot granite tower on the cemetery's highest point for 360° views of Boston and Cambridge.
• Notable Burials: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Winslow Homer, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and Buckminster Fuller.
• Birding: Over 220 bird species recorded; spring and fall migration brings warblers, tanagers, and raptors.

History

Founded in 1831 by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mount Auburn was the first rural cemetery in the United States. It was designed by Dr. Jacob Bigelow as an alternative to overcrowded urban churchyards, blending landscape design with eternal rest.

Visitor Tips

• Maps available: Pick up a free map at the main gate; self-guided walking tours are available.
• Open daily: Gates open at 8 AM; cars are allowed until dusk.
• Duration: 1–2 hours.