Duxbury in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

America's Oldest Maintained Cemetery

March 30, 2020

1. America's Oldest Maintained Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Myles Standish Burying ground is the oldest maintained cemetery in the United States. This sacred ground has been cared for by the town of Duxbury Massachusetts, and takes its name from Myles Standish, military leader of the Plymouth colony who was interred here in 1656.

Erected 1977 by American Cemetery Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1656.

Location. 42° 1.499′ N, 70° 41.256′ W. Marker is in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Chestnut Street and Pilgrim By Way. Marker is located in the Myles Standish Burying Ground. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Duxbury MA 02332, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the Old Burial Ground, c. 1632-1787 (a few steps from this marker); Memorial Stones of John and Priscilla Alden (a few steps from this marker); Captain Myles Standish (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of First Church

America's Oldest Maintained Cmetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, March 2012

2. America's Oldest Maintained Cmetery Marker

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Second Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Old Burying Ground, c. 1632-1787 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Nook Gate (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Beginning of the Bradford House (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duxbury.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, March 2011

3. America's Oldest Maintained Cemetery Marker

Myles Standish Burial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, March 2012

4. Myles Standish Burial

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, March 2011

5. Myles Standish Burial

John Alden Burial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bryan Simmons, March 2012

6. John Alden Burial

Oldest cemetery in America image. Click for more information.

Photographed By 110, January 1, 4501

7. Oldest cemetery in America

Historic Towns of America Website entry:
The Myles Standish Burial Ground (est. 1638) is located in Duxbury, Massachusetts. It is the oldest maintained cemetery in America. The 1.5-acre burying ground is the final resting place of several well-known Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, including Captain Myles Standish.
(Guy Saladino of Long Beach, New York; December 3, 2020)
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 928 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 31, 2020, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 10, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 7. submitted on May 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.