Think of Milk Row Cemetery as a peaceful oasis. It is tucked away between busy commercial buildings near Union Square. This compact cemetery has a rich history.
Milk Row Cemetery was founded in 1804. Samuel Tufts donated the land. It was farmland that once belonged to Charlestown. Somerville was still part of Charlestown then. Many Somerville residents preferred other cemeteries. They chose Phipps Street Burying Ground or Mount Auburn Cemetery. As a result, Milk Row Cemetery remained small. It became the only cemetery within Somerville in the 1800s.
Step inside Milk Row Cemetery. It is the oldest burial ground in Somerville. Milk Row Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The city offers tours of the cemetery. These tours happen from spring to early fall. A special event called “Ghosts of Somerville” takes place around Halloween. Costumed guides lead visitors. They share stories about the historically important graves.
One notable grave belongs to an unknown British soldier. He died during the Revolutionary War. The soldier’s remains were found during street work nearby. They were then moved to Milk Row Cemetery.
The name “Milk Row” comes from Somerville Avenue’s old name. Milk Row was the main route for dairy farms. They transported goods to Charlestown and Boston.
Look for the Civil War monument. It was erected in 1863. It may be one of the first Civil War monuments in the country. It honors fallen soldiers. The Somerville Light Infantry oversaw its construction. Donations funded it. Names and regiments are engraved on the monument. The list is incomplete. Enoch Robinson donated the land for the monument. Power and Hall of Boston made it. Charles E. Hall, a Somerville resident, was a junior partner there.
Consider the stories of those interred. Samuel and Timothy Tufts have vault tombs in the southwest corner. They were the first owners of Milk Row Cemetery.
Imagine the monument’s dedication. Sixty-eight Somerville volunteers died in the Civil War. Their names are on the marble memorial. Overall, 1,135 men from Somerville fought in the war. They fought in battles such as Bull Run and Appomattox. About 250 were wounded.
Milk Row Cemetery offers a glimpse into Somerville’s past. It connects us to the people who shaped this city. This small cemetery tells big stories.