Here lies a piece of Maynard’s history. Glenwood Cemetery is more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to the town’s past. Glenwood Cemetery opened in 1871. This was the same year Maynard became a town. Many prominent residents are buried here. Among them is Amory Maynard. He founded the Assabet Woolen Mill. He also gave the town its name.
Glenwood Cemetery wasn’t always a municipal cemetery. A small section existed beforehand. It served as a private burying ground. The oldest known burial is John Marble. He died in 1820. Thomas H Brooks was the first person buried after the town acquired the land. He died in 1872.
The most striking feature of Glenwood Cemetery is the Maynard family crypt. This imposing structure is hard to miss. It’s a large earth-covered mound. It has a granite facade. Amory Maynard commissioned the crypt in 1888. He along with his wife Mary son Harlan and nineteen other descendants are buried inside. The crypt features a glass skylight. It’s also surmounted by an iron grillwork cone. The words MAYNARD 1880 and Greek letters are carved into the granite.
The original Glenwood Cemetery covered eight acres. It was designed in the style of a rural cemetery. It had a circular lane and parallel lanes behind. A gazebo once stood at the center. Sadly the New England Hurricane of 1938 destroyed it. The current main gate dates back to 1928. It replaced an earlier cast iron gate. Most of the trees are sugar maples. These were planted after the hurricane. They replaced trees lost in the storm.
Glenwood Cemetery has expanded since 1871. The ‘new cemetery’ section was added in the 1930s. The Works Progress Administration funded the labor. It has concentric lanes in an ovoid shape. It connects to the older section by a single lane. Glenwood Cemetery remains a significant part of Maynard’s heritage. It serves as a peaceful reflection of the town’s rich history.