Established in 1851, Wildwood Cemetery in Winchester, Massachusetts, is more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to the town’s history. The very ground we stand on was purchased with funds donated by Colonel William P. Winchester, the town’s namesake. His $3,000 gift helped transform this area into the beautiful, tranquil space we see today. Wildwood Cemetery became one of the first public spaces in Winchester. It was designed by Amasa Farrier, who drew inspiration from the works of Andrew Jackson Downing and John Claudius Loudon. They pioneered the “rural cemetery” movement, which favored winding paths and natural landscaping over the rigid grid layouts of older cemeteries. As you stroll through Wildwood’s 70.5 acres, notice the winding lanes and carefully planned landscaping. This design invites contemplation and reflection. It’s a place where nature and history intertwine. In 1853, a poignant moment in the cemetery’s history unfolded. Graves from the overcrowded First Congregational Church cemetery were relocated to Wildwood. This explains why some of the headstones bear dates older than the cemetery itself, some dating back as far as 1805. Among the notable figures buried here are Massachusetts Governor Samuel Walker McCall and Rev. Howard James Chidley. You’ll also find the graves of engineer Harold Kilbrith Barrows, linguist Joshua Whatmough, and artists Joseph Foxcroft Cole and Dana Pond. Wildwood Cemetery isn’t just a place of mourning, but a celebration of lives lived and a reflection of Winchester’s rich heritage.
Tufts University
In 2022, the Medford/Tufts station opened as part of the Green Line Extension project. Sunil Kumar became Tufts’ fourteenth president