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Mount Auburn Cemetery
Rating Details »
Categories: Funeral Services & Cemeteries, Parks [Edit]
580 Mt Auburn StCambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-7105
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
53 reviews for Mount Auburn Cemetery
First date recommendation: brunch at Sofra, followed by a walk in the Mount Auburn Cemetery. It's relaxing, tranquil, intriguing, and low-key. Oh, and it's free!
What could be lovelier than a meandering stroll through a beautifully landscaped garden of funerary art, rare trees, and charming chapels? No, really! I know that some people find the notion off-putting but it's really not macabre at all -- the Mount Auburn Cemetery is a fascinating retreat, and if you're not interested in reading the old-fashioned names on tombstones and family markers you can tune out the stoneware and focus instead on the lovely vistas offered by several serene, naturalistic reflecting pools, and an impressive array of birds and other small wildlife. Today my companion and I were startled by a hawk (or was it a falcon?) swooping down less than ten feet in front of us to snatch a smaller bird that had alighted in a bush. It was, as he put it, "a real National Geographic moment."
I love to climb the tower, the view is amazing. Of course I have a hard time finding the tower, and also the little neo-gothic chapel that looks like it belongs next to The Queen of Hearts' palace in Wonderland. Both are must-sees. When you enter the cemetery you can stop in at the visitor's center and pick up a map. That would be the wise thing to do. That is not what I did but fortunately my companion was patient with my laughable orienteering skills. I'm entertaining.
I guess some people are squeamish about the thought of walking through a cemetery. I can't watch horror movies, and I suppose I might get creeped out in the cemetery at night. But in the daytime it's FINE you scaredy cats!
I mean, for a cemetery, yes, woohoo! as good as it gets!
Points in favor:
America's first garden cemetery
Final resting place: Buckminster Fuller, Julia Ward Howe, & Longfellow.
Washington Tower and the view of the city
And my favorite:
Mt Auburn offered a resting place in perpetuity, which was apparently a rather novel concept up to the point of the cemetery's construction.
Really, this is a lovely place to go walk around and is particularly popular with birders. I almost skipped it during my time in Boston, and I am really glad I didn't. If you have a chance, speak to the archivist or curator. They are both extremely knowledgeable and vibrantly interested in the place. In fact, everyone who works here seems to be really engaged and informative.
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This Olmstead masterpiece is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. The expansive landscape is a wonderful place to walk and take photos or just be contemplative. There is tons of wildlife around too - We saw rabbits, frogs, toads, turtles an owl and there is even a hawk that frequents the grounds.
This place really is a treasure and its free, which is always great. I will definitely be going back at some point.
I made quite the observation while at Mt. Auburn Cemetery: A lot of rich people are buried here. HUGE crypts, GIGANTIC headstones, staircases telling you who you are about to step on, generations of families all in one spot.
Famous people and not so famous people, all they seem to have in common is money. I think Isabella Stewart Gardiner is buried here, and if you're thinking of coming to visit, please first knock on the door using the knocker (I don't really get it either) and watch out for the surveillance cameras.
I saw an adorable bunny, followed by a really awesome owl and a red-tailed hawk that gave Joe a look saying "If you come any closer...."
Head on top of the Washington Monument (it's the one surrounded by two other obelisks and you will get the BEST 360 degree view of Boston, Cambridge and beyond. Why spend money going on top of the Pru when you can come up here for FREE!
Even though there is so much death that surrounds you, all that is life is much more apparent.
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When a friend told me she "loved this cemetery" and that we should visit I was pretty shocked at first. However, I totally changed my mind after visiting. This place is so beautiful and peaceful, it is really a great place to visit even if at first the thought of visiting a cemetery just because seems a little bit morbid. It's nice to visit just because of the natural beauty (It is really large so you could definitely walk around all day, there are many great trees, flowers, fountains, ponds, and pathways. There is also the tower that others have mentioned which gives a breathtaking view of Boston..) We even saw baby ducklings there a few weeks ago! I just took a class on death and immortality last semester too and it's interesting to look at some of the elaborate tombstones as well. Definitely visit on a nice day, slow down a bit, and enjoy the beauty.
Honestly, how could a cemetery designed by FL Olmsted be anything but fantastic?Truly?
Beyond the fantastic Landscape Architecture, you do get to see some fantastic plots, and Cemetery Sculpture. No really old stuff, as this place was formed in the 1800's. I've got some kin buried there, to boot.
When I was 13, I got trapped in the Tower listening to a major Coke deal go down. I held my breath, kept still, and then raced to the Gate. They waved the Cadillac riding SOB through, so they must have been paid off.
Thanks, you useless, paid off, Bastards.
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When my now husband suggested we got o Mt Auburn Cemetary on our second date my fiirst thought was -- 'yea, if i show up-- great, i'm dating a psycho who wants to take me to a cemetery-- since i was at least warned of the impending new psycho boyfriend attack, i said OK'. We went and I was not murdered and that relieved me. Instead, I found out this is one of the best places on earth -- great trees-- fell in love with the gingko biloba trees and now have gingko biloba images on tiles on our fireplace. Great spot for bird watching. Watching ducks eat frogs whole is an experience! Nuthatches, cardinals, and even a scarlet tanager....
I went here with some friends earlier today, and we had a nice time. Definitely check out the statue of the sphinx, and do climb the tower in the middle of the cemetery for great views of Boston. I also enjoyed bird watching at Willow Pond. With over 700 acres and lots of hills, you can even get a workout just from wandering around! That being said, do checkout their website for the cemetery rules. For example, picnicking is not allowed. There's no entrance or parking fee, and I was able to easily find a spot to park.
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I love the contemplative and spiritual feeling that emenates from most cemetaries and churches and Mount Auburn is no exception. The bare trees were appropriately haunting on a chilly winter afternoon. Those and the patchy clouds gave me some beautiful light and sillohuettes for picture taking.
Wandering the paths with my family, admiring the beauty and reading old graves was an inarguably pleasant way to spend an hour or so (and believe me, we can argue). I could have stayed much longer but my California family is weak when it comes to cold weather and all the chapels were closed anyway.
I'll be back alone sometime when I need to think or write, or just want to see some beautiful fall foliage.
I have to say, despite a really long walk to get there from Harvard Square, this is worth going to visit on a cool spring, summer or fall day. The paths, foliage, and history here cannot be matched in many locations, and despite the fact that this is a place of final rest, this is also a place for a person to gather one's thoughts and refresh one's acquaintance with the paths, ponds, and history of the people who are surrounding you. Beautiful tombstones and stories await.
As for the kids comment - I think it'd be a good landscape to see, but they'd probably not enjoy it for more than 10-20 minutes at a time.
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I still ever so slightly prefer the whimsy of the Forest Hills Cemetery, but Mt. Auburn is so truly lovely that it definitely merits its own five stars. What I remember most clearly is standing at Halcyon Lake with the sun shining over the trees, it's light being gently dappled on the water. We were just sitting in the circular classic temple contemplating the lake, and it honestly felt *heavenly.*
All over the place are these mini-monuments like the classic temple on Halcyon Lake, the highlight being the crenelated Washington Tower, which gives an amazing view of Boston.
The overall tone is grandly, beautifully contemplative. Olmstead once again hit the nail on the head, delivering a final resting place that one could be happy to imagine their ancestors kicking back in.
I have mixed feelings about this cemetery. On the one hand, it is beautiful. It is historic. It is charming and wonderful to stroll, get lost in, photograph.
On the other hand, there are secret service agents who will chase you through the bushes and hop in their black cars to keep pace with you. It's like a spy film in a cemetery. Is this also cool? Yes. Sort of. And also scary and wrong, and...fun! What the hell am I saying?
I don't know, but I had what passes for an adventure the last time I went. My boyfriend at the time had a shaved head, which was probably the red flag for the cemetery secret service agents. I also had a camera, and was trying to photograph some of the beauty of the place--they probably thought I was trying to spray paint the tombstones or kick them over or something young hellions are wont to do. (Meanwhile, my greatest fear was that they'd apprehend me and wipe my digital camera!)
At any rate, we found ourselves chased--nay, HOUNDED, in Mount Auburn Cemetery, by guys in slick black suits wearing wires and radioing our movements back to...headquarters or something? beats me. But it was creepy. At one point I thought I lost them, and was trying to snap a photo, and out of a hedge a Man in Black suddenly pops up, talking into his lapel mic! No joke.
This was the creepiest cemetery I have ever been in, for all the wrong reasons!!
If you feel like a MIB/Buffy crossover afternoon, Mount Auburn is the place.
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For my 400th review, I had to unleash my inner goth and write about the Mount Auburn Cemetery. The planning and execution of this cemetery is stunningly poetic and heart breakingly beautiful. Walking through the grounds, it's easy to feel entranced by the eerie calmness located in the middle of such a fast paced, dog eat dog metropolis.
Edward Gorey's Mystery trailer must have been based off of Mount Auburn Cemetery, using its elegant and occasionally whimsical memorials for the perfectly creepy introduction. The antiquated names on the headstones find their way into my "name vault" for future children: Lavinia, Dahlia, Mercy, Silence, Hiram, Levi, Amos, Wesley, Ira (Okay, Ira was a joke - that's not really a name I'd choose, but it makes me smile - serenely, of course). The urn sculptures and the detailed ironwork have an ethereal creepiness matched only by the New Orleans cemeteries I've toured, but in the Mount Auburn Cemetery, the light through the trees makes each resting ground look somehow welcoming, like a reward rather than a VERY permanent address. The trees twist and turn their manicured limbs every which way, with their naked branches creating a collective hushed "oooooOOOooooooOOOO" sound from the cold winter wind. The sound is wonderful.
Taking the uphill route on nearly every road leads you to the tower, with a commanding view of Boston and her neighboring cities. You can hear the muffled sounds of the cities making their way to you, letting you know you're still alive and breathing. Looking down you see the snaky paths leading you around the property, writhing between ponds and tree groves, chapels and elegant sculptures. Spend an afternoon or a whole day reading tombs and contemplating this mortal coil, realizing the most horrible tragedy is that you will never earn enough to secure your own final resting spot in Mount Auburn Cemetery.
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Cemeteries have a special place in my heart. Just like any teenager growing up in England, they quickly went from being that scary place that gave you a chill to walk past to being THE place to go with the 2 litre bottle of cider that Dave's sister bought for you all. I went from being one of those that did everything possible not to stand near a grave to making out by tombstones and helping my friends throw-up round the back of the ornate crypts. For a few great years we even had a little graveyard next to our house which housed Wittgenstein's humble grave - great place to smoke a joint!
So that's my pre-Mt Auburn cemetery CV (resume to you yanks). Am I qualified? hmmm... it seemed not. Seems like the USA do everything much bigger and better even when it comes to death. Seems like Mt Auburn Cemetery is the most amazing cemetery I've ever been to. Seems like everyone buried here was of note or had lots of notes.
Yes, this is the best. From the tree selection that rivals the Arboretum and the crypt architecture that rivals the houses of Back Bay, to the views from Washington Tower that rival those of the downtown skyscrapers - Mt Auburn is DEAD good.
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Growing up in Watertown, I had my share of awesome, tiny, and run-down New England cemeteries to wander through. Mt. Auburn is much more of a Victorian garden, less of the classic old Colonial headstones with their winged skulls and weeping willows and more of the labeled trees, named paths, and massive monuments -- really, a lovely place to get lost with a camera for a few hours.
There is also a small chapel on the grounds which is still in use; helpful to know if you are a teenager who likes to have sex in this cemetery after school.
Not that I'd know anything about that.
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this is one of my favorite place to walk in boston. I personally like it more than arboretum.
it is oldest garden cemetary . it is very victorian and I just like it.
it is so nice to walk up to the tower and enjoy the view.
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I love this place. Feel a little weird rating a cemetery. Love this place.
I can't imagine giving anything less than 5 stars here. This cemetery is amazingly beautiful! If the idea of walking through a cemetery seems less then pleasant to you, just give it a try. The landscaping is in one word terrific: it easily the most beautiful spot in the Boston area. If you like the Arnold Arboretum, my guess is you're going to love Mt Auburn. You can walk here for hours and see new things all the time. In addition to the landscaping you'll also find an eclectic range of tomb stones & monuments, which is interesting in and of itself. Finally, there's a watchtower you can climb for a nice view of the surroundings.
You should make an especial effort to go during the fall, when the colors are changing.
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America's oldest garden cemetery is the perfect place to walk around, taking pictures of New England's gorgeous fall foliage. The landscape covers 175 acres of hills, dells, ponds, woodlands and clearings; it is home to over 5,500 trees (nearly 700 species and varieties) - changing from green to a stunning vivid red or gold.
Located less than two miles from Harvard Square, this is an oasis for serenity, solace, and inspiration. As Meaghan S. mentioned, many of the monuments and headstones are museum-worthy. Mt Auburn is also a great place to connect to history - as Jonathan G pointed noted, there are many famous writers, painters, scientists, politicians, etc., buried here.
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Even if I didn't have a black clad, Cure worshiping past, or live a few blocks away from it, I'd still love this place. Even though it is a cemetery it puts pretty much every public park I've been to to shame in terms of diversity and beauty and attention to detail in the living elements of the park. The stone monuments, many of which are gorgeous and worth visiting to see on their own, just end up adding to the experience, especially if you are able to disassociate them from their morbid significance.
It's America's oldest arboretum/cemetery/elysium, based off of the Pre Lachaise in Paris, though I honestly think it is more beautiful, perhaps because if feels more naturey and pretty than I remember the Pre Lachaise being.
175 acres of rolling hills, ponds, wildlife ranging from frogs, herons, to woodchucks, a tower where you can get a near perfect view of Boston, 700 different species are represented in the cemeteries 5,500 trees, all of the paths have horticulturaly themed names...what isn't there to love? If you are history minded, you can go and seek out the graves of some of the cemetery's more famous "inhabitants" such as Isabella Stewart Gardner, William Gray, Winslow Homer, or Mary Baker Eddy. The cemetery also offers guides describing the different trees, birds, wildlife, and plants you can encounter during your explorations of the grounds.
In the summer, nothing is more peaceful or tranquil than grabbing a book, my camera, a bottle of water, maybe a friend, and sitting next to one of the ponds, feeling the sun on my skin and listening to the frogs serenade each other.
I feel like Mt. Auburn truly is a superb testament to the intertwined nature of both life and death and how the two constructs can, and must, exist in harmony with each other.
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I was aware before coming here that this was a very beautiful place but what good is hear-say when you can just check it out for yourself? So, on the best day of the week, weather-wise, we headed on over to do just that.
The front gate is roughly a 5 minute jaunt on either the 71 or 73 buses from Harvard Square and they also have a decent amount of bike racks just off to the side of the gate. The gate also holds areas where you can pick up some maps for a small donation (I believe they were 50 cents), but having no change, we sauntered on unaided.
Immediately we began down some of the walking paths, past Civil War era mausoleums, Egyptian Revival obelisks and Gothic Revival monuments, finials and all. Though most cemeteries in Boston and Cambridge are much, much older on average, there is still a palpable sense of history around these stones. This is especially apparent when passing names such as Gardener (as in Isabella Stewart), Nathaniel Bowditch, Charles Sumner, Robert Gould Shaw and Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid camera.
The grounds are impeccably kept by the staff with nary a weed in sight. Sadly, as a result of some poor choices by those building these monuments (and not the cemetery itself), marble and other calcite based stones were chosen in the past, only to have been severely eroded away by a century of rain. One such example is Robert Gould Shaw's memorial which much have contained a beautiful carved relief at one point, showing only featureless bumps at present.
Further exploring the grounds yields a good bit of animal life, as we encountered a rabbit, an owl which silently swooped out of a tree in front of us and a red-tailed hawk which was perched on the head of a statue. Mosquitoes were plentiful near any source of water, though one of the few places they did not reach was the top of Washington Tower (yes, another monument to George Washington). The tower, set on the highest hill in the cemetery is like walking up 6 or 7 flights of stairs but being rewarded with of the best views in the region. The top of the tower is open to the air, offering a 360 degree view of the area. There isn't much you can't see from this vista, from the Weston tolls on the Pike in the west, to the Logan Airport control tower in the east with everything in between. While the Pru and Bunker Hill Monument offer the best views inside the city, this is easily the best view of the city from just outside it.
In short, there is little reason for anyone not to come here. First, it's free. Second, it's incredibly beautiful; the view from the Tower alone is worth the trek. Lastly, having to think about death once in a while isn't such a bad thing. After all, there's hardly a better place to think about it than here.
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When I die I want to be buried here. Not because I think I will know or care at that point. But because I love the idea of my family coming to visit a place that is incredibly beautiful and unspoiled.
Many of the headstones and monuments are high art. The landscaping impeccable. The incredible variety of birds and trees astounding. I imagine this is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
Come here early in the morning one day, wander around. Enjoy the placid beauty of this incredible testament to both death and life.
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What better a place to stroll on a warm winter's day than Mt Auburn Cemetery? We drove in through the gates and followed the green line through out this park of the dead. We found our way to the tower on the top of the hill and with a warm breeze blowing gazed upon Boston under the grey skies. Perfection at its creepiest. The stones are spectacular and the grounds are emmence. We did wish we'd gotten the map from the visitors center but that will wait for next time. I will say that Mary baker Eddy has one big ass grave!
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I just remember driving by this place while I was a little girl and I had just seen labrynth..... The main cemetery gates could have been in that movie....I pictured a fantasy world behind the big green perfectly shaped bushes and rot iron gates.........than when I finally entered there one day I had to laugh because there was no castle, no monster, no princess....Yet it was a spectacle............gorgeous grounds.......ponds, statues...,,,,,gorgeous foliage during the fall.....little foot bridges.......if you take photos or just like peaceful places........come here.....it is safe to walk around and, for a cemetery, the people you will meet are pretty damn friendly........I am always greeted with friendly smiles when my friend and I would speed walk through the roads........I am happy to know such a lovely place exists
P.S.:"Speed" as in talk fast while walking normal ...........
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Be sure to climb the spiral-staircased tower at the top of the hill in Mount Auburn Cemetery for a completely unexpected and dazzling 360 degree view of the Boston skyline and surrounding environs. Watch out for unexpected wildlife, though! On our last trip there, we actually spotted a coyote prowling through the gravestones (thankfully from the secure confines of our car while driving to the tower). Not the first coyote we've seen in Cambridge, either (supposedly they're adapting well to the urban lifestyle and have even been known to take up residence in Central Park!).
At any rate, somehow I've been to Mount Auburn Cemetery twice but have yet to see graves of the likes of Isabella Stewart Gardner, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, B.F. Skinner, and Charles Bulfinch. Yes, lots of fancy, important people were buried here, but when you're wandering down a beautiful winding path under lush pine trees as birds chirp happily from their branches, you tend to forget that you're even in a cemetery at all.
Mount Auburn is the perfect place to head when you're starving for a little nature. Just pray that the coyote(s) aren't starving, too. Luckily, Mount Auburn has a ban on dog walking, so no one's pet chihuahua is at risk of joining the ranks of Cambridge's finest within these iron gates.
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This is one of my favorite places to go for a stroll, simply because it is so incredibly beautiful during every season of the year. Even in the winter it's nice because it's fun to trudge through the snow and there are usually hardly any people there at that time of the year.
There's something here for everyone: beautiful sculptures, trees of every variety and size, quiet places to sit and read, a lovely view of Boston and Cambridge from the hill with the tower, and birds galore! If you are a birder, you probably already know how awesome the bird variety here is, but I will mention it anyways.
My only complaint is that they let cars drive through the cemetery. It would be nicer if you didn't have to look out for them while taking a walk, however, there are lots of smaller paths that they can't go on as well.
Check out some amazing photos at the Flickr Mt. Auburn Group: http://www.flickr.com/...
It's free for pete's sake!
Okay it was 50 cents for a map, but who would mind that. The old man manning the visitor's center needed someone to talk to and i felt kind of bad when we tried to leave.
But really, it's pretty much a free park and even though i'm majoring in landscape architecture, i don't think i could speak much on it that people haven't said already.
Interesting that a cemetary is being reviewed here!
It IS indeed a beautifully maintained place and transitions well, season to season.
I give it 5 stars because my grandparents, great-grandparents and lots of other relatives are there.
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Boston is the first place that I have ever been to in my life where cemeteries are a big deal. I think I visited more cemeteries in one week than all the other years combined in my life. People go to them for things like walking, picnics, gravestone rubbings, etc. They are beautiful, historic and they look like something out of a movie or picturesque scene from Europe. People visiting them is not a strange thing to do.
People on the West coast, or even the South have no idea how historic our country is until you visit a city like Boston.
This is one of my favorite places in the world. It is so beautiful. Wonderful opps for photography. Great stones. Wonderful trees.
Garden Cemeteries are some of my most favorite places to visit...especially ones with monuments and statuary. Mount Auburn ranks above almost all of them because of the variety of art in the stones and also the care given to the landscape. Also, because the staff is very helpful if you are looking for relatives buried there. I was able to find the plot of a great aunt 10 minutes after walking into their office and asking for help.
Great place to bird or take pictures. Just don't walk on the plots...totally rude.
This is as good as it gets for a stroll through a scenic and historical cemetery. Hundreds of trees all labeled from all parts of the world,tons of birds,landscaped to perfection and over 40 acres. Along with that it was the "Washington Tower" which has a spiral staircase and overlooks Boston and surrounding cities. Don't forget the 4 picturesque ponds and bring your camera in case you catch a glimpse of a coyote or hawk.
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This is the prettiest cemetery I've ever been to; not that I've been to many cemeteries for comparison, but still. It looks more like a park/garden than a cemetery, which is why I wouldn't mind strolling through it for a few hours. Plus this place is walking distance from my house.
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Hey, guess what Mt. Auburn Cemetery? LIVING people walk down your Mt. Auburn sidewalk in the winter, and you need to keep the damn ice off. Especially when it's already been a full month after the last freezing rain.
Okay, you half-assedly threw some sand on it. So you acknowledge there's a problem. Thanks a bunch - I guess you cut my slip-and-fall rate from 2 per quarter-mile to 1. Take an example from the sidewalk across the street and KEEP THAT STUFF CLEAR. Make me cross the street, will you?
Damn historians.
good graves. beautiful trees. a tower. The perfect sanctuary if you enjoy hanging around with dead people. Sparsely used despite its awesomeness, which is nice even though this testifies to extremely lame local sensibilities. Sometimes people sneak gear up the tower and rappel from it. You didn't hear that from me though.
MAC as a woman: not a sexual thing, cause that would be creepy. But she's big and beautiful in spite of the fact that she's been around a long, long time. The way she ornaments herself is pretty over the top, but for her that's appropriate so no one faults her for it. MAC is sort of overly refined and restrictive about your behavior when you're with her, but the true fans keep coming back.
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I didn't go to Mount Auburn Cemetery to visit any relatives or anything - just for a good, old-fashioned stroll. It is an incredibly beautiful landscape architecture, fascinating gravestones, sculptures and mausoleums . . . so soothing. I could and did spend hours. I loved learning the names of some of the trees - knowledge, what a bonus - and watching for little animals, especially around the water. I have only been in the summer, but I imagine this place is gorgeous in the winter months, as well - and even more peaceful. mmm
I have a hazy memory of jumping this fence in college and entering a dreamlike world of winding paths, willows and dignified mausoleums. The ground is heavy with the remains of well-knowns, best seen by flashlight on a warm night with a breeze. If you come during the day, the squirrels and rabbits may join you. Or near the water, frogs and turtles. There is life in abundance. What an interesting cycle that reveals itself before your eyes.
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This is an incredible place for a long, leisurely walk on a nice day. While the gravestones are often of historic interest, the real treat is taking in Frederick Law Olmstead's beautifully planned landscape and enjoying the place as a park and place for peaceful meditation. The tower offers an incredible view, but equally enjoyable are the many nooks and corners you can get lost in elsewhere - little ponds, spaces under large trees, etc. Looking forward to spending more time here and seeing it change with the seasons.
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No dog walking and no jogging. These are two things of my favorite activities to do in cemetaries. "So, why five stars?" you might ask. Here are my reasons:
1. Beatifully landscaped. (The rest of the reasons are famous dead people. I am a middle school history teacher, by the way.)
2. Edwin Booth. Brother of John Wilkes, he not only was the most famous Shakespearian actor of his age, but he saved the life of Lincoln's eldest son by pulling him off the train tracks. (And you thought Wesley Autrey was cool...hah!)
3. Charles Sumner. This man was savagely beaten on the floor of the US Senate for his abolitionist views. He had to rip his desk out of the floor to escape. Awesome.5. Dorothea Dix--Yup, the head nurse of the Civil War.
4. Felix Frankfurter. He was a Supreme Court justice during WWII and the Civil Rights ear. Rock!
5. Isabella Stewart Gardener. You've seen the museum, now check out the headstone!
6. Oliver Wendell Holmes. His dissenting opinions alone deserve a visit to his grave. (Fun fact--he personally knew both John Quincy Adams and Alger Hiss.)
7. Winslow Homer. Artist with a moody side, like the ocean itself.
8. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and Sr... Do these guys know how to party or what?!?
9. Charles Bulfinch. The man designed the State House in Mass. AND the Capitol in Washington. Beat that!
10. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow--He had a big yellow house, once.
11. McGeorge Bundy--he was in the chair next to Kennedy during the Cuban Missle Crisis.
12. Robert Gould Shaw--The guy that Mathew Broderick played in the movie "Glory."
13. B.F. Skinner. Inventor of the operant conditioning chamber. How else would we know that a pidgeon was willing to hit a feeder bar so many times? Respect.
So, go, enjoy the history.
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This is a wonderful place to get lost. The cemetery is HUGE, filled with wooded groves and hidden ponds. Lots of birds, as pointed out in other reviews, but you can also see foxes, turtles, bullfrogs, rabbits, possums, the list goes on... and if you think cemeteries are cool, there's really no better place. The monuments are gorgeous, many with elaborate 19th century carvings, though nothing compares in grandeur to the gigantic, century-old beech trees that stand throughout the cemetery.
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