"We stand, as it were, upon the border of two worlds;

and as the mood of our minds may be, we may gather lessons of profound wisdom by contasting the one with the other, or indulge in the dreams of hope and ambition, or solace our hearts by melancholy meditations." Joseph Story, Mount Auburn Cemetery, 1831 Consecration Address

Mount Auburn Cemetery is only a 20 minute walk from Josh and Zia's and yet I'd never been there. In fact, I had never heard of it. ALWAYS something new to do!

Mount Auburn, located in Watertown/Cambridge, is America's first landscaped cemetery, consecrated in 1831. It was planned for the edge of the city, both to help with overcrowding cemeteries and to increase urban park areas. It was and is open to the general public and any religious affiliation. As well as a burial ground, it was designed to provide a place for the living to gather and enjoy nature. There are a variety of animals and it's a good place to bird watch. With 175 acres the cemetery contains over 10 miles of roads, many paths, and 5,500 trees. After Mount Auburn was established many other communities followed their lead. Many famous people were buried here. Sadly we didn't see Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Grave site.

Pat and I spent about three hours walking around. I had previously obtained a map and selected what I wanted to see. We found other tourists, but many others were just walking or sitting on a bench enjoying the peacefulness and beauty. A busy place.

The Asa Gray Garden Memorial Landscape. Asa Gray was a botanist.

Bigelow chapel. Jacob Bigelow introduced the idea of Mount Auburn.

Sphinx, a Civil War Monument by Martin Milmore (1872). It was commissioned by Bigelow to commemorate the end of the Civil War.

Binney Monument by Thomas Crawford

The Rev. Charles T. Torrey Monument by J. and T. Crew (1846), also known as "The Slave Monument." Torrey was a martyr who died in a Baltimore jail where he was held for helping slaves escape to freedom. 

Adjoining Mount Auburn, and over this wall, is a Catholic Cemetery.

Grave of Curt Gowdy, Red Sox broadcaster.

Chickering Monument by Thomas Ball (1872), titled "Realization of Faith." 

On a hill is a tower overlooking Boston. 

Grave of Winslow Homer, Painter, Illustrator

Rev. Hosea Ballou Monument by Edward A. Brackett (1859)

Paths wind through Spruce Knolls.

I don't think I've seen glass tombstones before. 

In the first chapter, which is all I read, the author shares a lot of information on Mount Auburn. Zia read this with her book club a few years ago. Another member knew the author and he gave the club a personal tour of the cemetery. 

Where are the Piepers now? Carlisle, PA