Didn’t Colonel William Sterling Cogswell and his business associates envision a serene escape when they established Maple Grove Cemetery in 1875? Maple Grove Cemetery is a historic cemetery at 127-15 Kew Gardens Road in Briarwood/Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City. It offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle.
Now, let’s step inside Maple Grove Cemetery. It’s more than just a burial ground. It’s a journey through time and art. Maple Grove Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Imagine Victorian-era mourners traveling along winding roads. They are surrounded by forest-covered hills. This was the original Monumental Park section. It opened in 1875. The rural cemetery tradition is still palpable here.
The Lodge Building once stood at the Queens Boulevard entrance. The Receiving Tomb was also erected in 1875. James E. Ware designed them. He was a noted New York City architect. Ware also designed the Victorian Administration Building. It was built in 1880. It stands at the Lefferts Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road Entrance.
But Maple Grove Cemetery evolved. In 1943, the Memorial Park section opened. The Lodge was torn down. The Queens Boulevard Entrance moved closer to the Briarwood subway station.
Pause for a moment at the Presidential Circle. This is a memorial to the 21 people interred at Maple Grove. They tragically died in the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
The Center at Maple Grove opened in 2009. Peter Gisolfi designed it. The Maple Grove offices relocated here from the old Victorian Administration Building. The Center also houses Celebration Hall and a Community Room. A new entrance was created next to the Center on Kew Gardens Road at 129th Street.
Do you know about the Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery? This not-for-profit organization supports Maple Grove. They enhance its operations. They also increase public appreciation. They highlight the artistic, historical, and cultural resources found here.
Among the 83,000 interments are notable figures. LaVern Baker rests here. She was a rhythm-and-blues singer. Albert H. Bosch is here. He was a member of the US House of Representatives. Martin Branner, the cartoonist, also calls this place his last stop.
Look for George W. Corliss’s grave. He was a Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Leslie Kaliades’s photography captured her experience with AIDS. Anthony Mason was a basketball player. Irving Rapper was a film director. Jimmy Rushing was a singer. George Coles Stebbins wrote gospel hymns. Fred Taral was a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey. James E. Ware, the architect, rests here as well. Edward Wright was a Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Vincent Youmans was a songwriter. Octavia St. Laurent was an actress and singer.
Today, Maple Grove Cemetery remains an integral part of Queens. It is a gracious, historic 65-acre rural cemetery. It is a haven of peace and beauty. The landscape includes rolling hills, gardens, a lake, and a labyrinth. Trees, shrubbery, and flowers create a kaleidoscope of color throughout the seasons.