The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Mount Moriah Cemetery by honoring the memory of those interred here through community engagement, education, historic research, and restoration. We are dedicated to clearing and maintaining this beautiful historic space to make it safer for families to visit their loved ones, and for people to enjoy a healthy green space in an urban environment.
One of Philadelphia's oldest cemetery, it was established in 1855. It originally began with 54 acres and eventually expanded to 200 acres. Mount Moriah differed from other rural cemeteries in that it was easily accessible by street car and allowed for burials of people of all faiths and ethnicities. People from all walks of life are interred in Mount Moriah. From political and sports figures, musicians and entertainers, businesspeople, religious leaders and veterans, and families of every kind, they all contribute to our rich history.
For many years before its closure, the cemetery had not been well cared for. Since 2011, the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery have worked to restore the cemetery. Volunteers began by clearing debris (including abandoned cars, tires, trash, etc.) and brush in overgrown sections, working inward from the entrances on either side. As of 2020, nearly 55% of the cemetery has been opened up to allow visitors to safely enter these sections.
We are completely volunteer driven! With such a large expanse, it is vital that we have a robust team of volunteers to help with mowing, weed trimming, and clearing. One of our goals is to establish regular groups or individuals to "Adopt" a section, part of a section, or plots to maintain throughout the growing season.
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