West Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Photographed by Marc Belanger, February 19, 2011
1. Mount Auburn Cemetery Marker
Mount Auburn Cemetery has been designated a National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
Established in 1831 as the nation's first large scale designed landscape open to the public, Mount Auburn was the first American rural cemetery. It initiated the great age of American cemetery building and influenced the design of public parks, monuments and suburbs.
Erected 2003 by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 42° 22.513′ N, 71° 8.698′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in West Cambridge. It can be reached from Mount Auburn Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sir Richard's Landing (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Shick House & Farm (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mt. Auburn & Bigelow POW MIA Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Emery T. Morris (approx. 0.9 miles away); Vassall-Craigie-Longfellow House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Gen. Henry Knox Trail (approx. one mile away); Harriet A. Jacobs (approx. 1.1 miles away); William H. Lewis (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Sir Richard's Landing (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Marc Belanger, February 19, 2011
2. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Photographed by Marc Belanger, February 19, 2011
3. Mount Auburn Cemetery Entrance Gatehouse
Jack Boucher, Historic American Buildings Survey (via Library of Congress), December 1987
4. Mount Auburn Cemetery - Bigelow Chapel
Significance: The Bigelow Chapel reflects the romantic picturesque style of architectural envisioned for cemetery grounds. It is part of the Mount Auburn Cemetery, a garden cemetery project by Massachusetts Horticultural Society and laid out by Alexander Wadsworth in 1831-32.
Jack Boucher, Historic American Buildings Survey (via Library of Congress), December 1987
5. Mount Auburn Cemetery - Sphinx
Significance: A monument to the causes and victory of the Civil War, the inscription reads, American Union Preserved, African slavery destroyed by the uprising of a great people by the blood of fallen heroes. An interesting and unique piece of sculpture, it is among many monuments fashioned out of various types of stone. In style, the tombs, statuary, obelisks and headstones found at Mount Auburn reflect the architectural and decorative motifs characteristic of the period.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. 4, 5. submitted on December 24, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
