Ever wonder about the stories whispered by ancient stones? Here at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Massachusetts, those stories are etched in granite and shaded by towering pines.
Pine Grove Cemetery isn’t just a burial ground. It’s a sprawling outdoor museum. It reflects the history of Lynn and its people.
Established in 1849 as a private cemetery, Pine Grove was designed by Henry A.S. Dearborn. He also designed Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. The City of Lynn purchased it in 1855.
Pine Grove got its name from the many pine trees near the entrance and Rhodes Memorial Chapel. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Local legend claims the cemetery’s stone wall is the second-longest continuous one in the world. Only the Great Wall of China is longer. The WPA built the wall in 1930.
But beyond the impressive wall, what truly sets Pine Grove Cemetery apart?
Consider the Rhodes Memorial Chapel. Amos Rhodes donated money for its construction in 1891. Its stained-glass windows are worth over $10,000.
Or picture the Pine Grove Cemetery Receiving Tomb. It was built between 1866 and 1868. This Ruskinian Gothic structure uses granite and features a cast-iron doorway.
Among the thousands interred here, you will find some notable figures.
Lydia Pinkham is buried here. She was known for her patent homeopathy medicine.
Elihu Thomson rests here too. He was a British engineer and inventor and a pioneer of electrical engineering. He founded Thomson-Houston Electric Company.
Harry Agganis is also buried here. He was a Boston Red Sox player known as the Golden Greek.
Pine Grove Cemetery is more than headstones and monuments. It reflects changing attitudes toward death and remembrance. Its landscape design shows the influence of the rural cemetery movement. It aimed to create peaceful, park-like settings for the deceased.
Take a moment to appreciate the cemetery office building. It was built in 1860.
Reflect on the Civil War Memorial. The Grand Army of the Republic erected it in 1866.
Consider the Keeper’s House. It was built in 1869.
Think about the monuments. They memorialize firefighters and soldiers from various wars.
Wander through Pine Grove’s 82 developed acres. Imagine the lives of those who rest here. From artists to inventors to political leaders, their stories are etched in stone. Consider the many unmarked graves too. They hold the stories of those who could not afford a private plot.
Pine Grove Cemetery offers a glimpse into Lynn’s past. It’s a place for reflection and remembrance. It’s a reminder of the lives that shaped this community.