Mount Hope Cemetery

Mission Statement

Mount Hope Cemetery is significant as the first American rural cemetery planned, developed and maintained by a municipality. Dedicated on October 3, 1838, it is an early and influential example of the rural cemetery, laid out in picturesque style. Rural cemeteries such as Mount Hope helped to popularize a new, romantic landscape style and also provided much-needed open space in growing cities, often serving as unofficial picnic grounds prior to the establishment of city parks.