The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Your Guide

A walking tour of the Mount Auburn Cemetery is a delight at all seasons of the year. In the wintery months, the low evergreen shrubs and tall trees give a special definition to the dells and hollows. The cemetery was established by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1831 by a committee. Back then, they wrote “that it is expedient to purchase, for a garden and a cemetery, a tract of land, commonly known by the name of Sweet Auburn, near the road leading from Cambridge to Watertown.” In 1835 the proprietors of the cemetery, now called Mount Auburn, took ownership of the cemetery from the Horticultural Society.

View Sites Nearby

Egyptian-style Gate

The entrance gate to the Mt. Auburn cemetery was originally built in 1832 of wood. This gate existed until 1842 when it was replaced by the present stone gate in the Egyptian style.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn2

Mature Trees

Mature trees are in the entrance area, where visitors can obtain pamphlets on all subjects about the cemetery.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn3

The Granite Tower

In 1852 the trustees of the cemetery decided to place a granite tower on top of Mount Auburn. Dr. Bigelow exhibited a model, designed by him, which was approved and then built by contractors from Quincy.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn4

A View in Winter

The view of Boston from the base of the tower in winter is spectacular.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn5

Graves and Sculptures

The cemetery is enriched by its variety of gravestones and sculptures.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn6

Stone Foilage

Foliage sculpted in stone adds interest to the landscape of Mount Auburn.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn7

A Beloved Pet

A sculpture of a family dog has a place of honor in the cemetery.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn8

The Chapel

In 1844 the trustees voted to build the chapel at Mount Auburn in “fine hammered Quincy granite.”

Image: Carol Johnson auburn9

Auburn Lake

Auburn Lake, one of the water features in Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Image: Carol Johnson auburn10

A Metasequoia

Plants are named with tags with the date of planting. Metasequoia was unknown in the U.S. until after World War II. During the war, Chinese families escaping the Japanese invaders saw a unique tree in the mountains. They took plant finders there after the war, who then brought Metasequoia specimens to the U.S.

Image: Carol Johnson