Mount Auburn Cemetery Corporation

Mount Auburn Cemetery Corporation is a renowned rural cemetery located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1831 by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Jacob Bigelow, and Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn. The cemetery is situated on a former Dr. Joseph Story estate, which was previously owned by Isaac Story, and is the final resting place of many notable individuals, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Mary Baker Eddy. The cemetery's design was influenced by the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in New York City and the United States Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C.. The cemetery is also a member of the Association of Independent Cemeteries and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

● History

The history of the cemetery dates back to the early 19th century, when the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law allowing for the creation of rural cemeteries, such as Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France and Highgate Cemetery in London, England. The cemetery was designed by Alexander Wadsworth and Jacob Bigelow, who were influenced by the work of André Le Nôtre and the Garden of Versailles. The cemetery's first interment was that of Charles Theodore Russell, a young boy who died in 1831, and was followed by the interment of Abiel Holmes, a Harvard University professor. The cemetery has also been the final resting place of many notable individuals, including John Bartlett, William Lloyd Garrison, and Dorothea Dix, who were all involved in the American Civil War and the Abolitionist Movement.

● Governance

The cemetery is governed by a board of trustees, which includes representatives from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Harvard University, and the City of Cambridge. The board is responsible for overseeing the cemetery's operations, including the maintenance of the grounds, the care of the monuments, and the management of the cemetery's finances. The cemetery is also a member of the American Cemetery Association and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, and has received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and the National Association of County and City Health Officials. The cemetery's governance structure is similar to that of other notable cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery and Westminster Abbey, which are both governed by boards of trustees and are members of various professional associations.

● Notable Interments

The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable individuals, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Mary Baker Eddy, who were all influential figures in American literature and American history. Other notable interments include Isabella Stewart Gardner, Julia Ward Howe, and William Dean Howells, who were all involved in the American arts and American culture. The cemetery is also the final resting place of many notable Harvard University professors, including Charles William Eliot and Josiah Royce, who were both influential figures in American education. The cemetery's notable interments also include Abolitionist Movement leaders, such as William Lloyd Garrison and Theodore Parker, who were both involved in the American Civil War and the Underground Railroad.

● Architecture and Landscape

The cemetery's architecture and landscape were designed by Alexander Wadsworth and Jacob Bigelow, who were influenced by the work of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. The cemetery's grounds include a variety of monuments, including the Washington Tower, which was designed by George Meacham and offers stunning views of the Boston, Massachusetts skyline. The cemetery's landscape also includes a variety of gardens, including the Asa Gray Garden, which was designed by Asa Gray and features a variety of plant species. The cemetery's architecture and landscape have been recognized by the National Park Service and the American Society of Landscape Architects, and have been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

● Operations and Management

The cemetery's operations and management are overseen by a team of professionals, including a superintendent, a horticulturist, and a historian. The cemetery offers a variety of services, including guided tours, genealogical research, and monument conservation. The cemetery is also involved in various community outreach and education programs, including partnerships with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Boston Athenaeum. The cemetery's operations and management are guided by a commitment to preserving the cemetery's historic character and natural beauty, while also providing a peaceful and respectful environment for visitors and the families of the interred. The cemetery is also a member of the Green Burial Council and the Cremation Association of North America, and offers a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable burial options. Category:Cemeteries in Massachusetts