Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem
Nestled in the heart of Salem, the Old Burying Point Cemetery, also known as the Charter Street Cemetery, stands as a poignant and timeless testament to the rich tapestry of Salem's past. Established in 1637, it is the oldest cemetery in Salem and a revered stop on the Salem Heritage Trail, offering visitors a serene and historic retreat.
One of the most striking features of Old Burying Point Cemetery is the remarkable variety of headstones that dot its landscape. Here, history is etched in stone, quite literally, as most of the headstones are crafted from slate. Some, however, stand as sandstone, schist, or marble testaments to those laid to rest beneath them.
As one traverses the cemetery, they'll find themselves following dirt paths that meander through the meticulously maintained plots, offering a true sense of the cemetery's historical ambiance. Yet, the most poignant and compelling aspect of Old Burying Point Cemetery lies in what no longer exists. Prior to 1673, wooden grave markers, colloquially known as Coffin Posts or Coffin Rails, marked the burials. Regrettably, the ravages of time have erased these markers from the landscape, leaving only echoes of the past.
In 1673, a significant moment in the cemetery's history occurred with the placement of the oldest existing gravestone 鈥� the Cromwell stone. This stone marked the resting place of Doraty Cromwell, who passed away on September 27, 1673, at the age of 67. As the years passed, locals began referring to the cemetery as the "common burying place" in 1669 and later as "ye burying point" in 1679. The latter name was likely inspired by the fact that the cemetery was situated like a point of land, surrounded on two sides by the South River.
Despite popular belief, none of the convicted Salem witches were laid to rest here, as they were denied a Christian burial. The fate of their remains remains shrouded in mystery, with family legends suggesting that some were claimed by their kin and buried on private property.
One of the most striking features of Old Burying Point Cemetery is the remarkable variety of headstones that dot its landscape. Here, history is etched in stone, quite literally, as most of the headstones are crafted from slate. Some, however, stand as sandstone, schist, or marble testaments to those laid to rest beneath them.
As one traverses the cemetery, they'll find themselves following dirt paths that meander through the meticulously maintained plots, offering a true sense of the cemetery's historical ambiance. Yet, the most poignant and compelling aspect of Old Burying Point Cemetery lies in what no longer exists. Prior to 1673, wooden grave markers, colloquially known as Coffin Posts or Coffin Rails, marked the burials. Regrettably, the ravages of time have erased these markers from the landscape, leaving only echoes of the past.
In 1673, a significant moment in the cemetery's history occurred with the placement of the oldest existing gravestone 鈥� the Cromwell stone. This stone marked the resting place of Doraty Cromwell, who passed away on September 27, 1673, at the age of 67. As the years passed, locals began referring to the cemetery as the "common burying place" in 1669 and later as "ye burying point" in 1679. The latter name was likely inspired by the fact that the cemetery was situated like a point of land, surrounded on two sides by the South River.
Despite popular belief, none of the convicted Salem witches were laid to rest here, as they were denied a Christian burial. The fate of their remains remains shrouded in mystery, with family legends suggesting that some were claimed by their kin and buried on private property.
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Old Burying Point Cemetery on Map
Sight Name: Old Burying Point Cemetery
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salem, Massachusetts
Create Your Own Walk in Salem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salem's Historical Homes Walking Tour
There鈥檚 no shortage of historic homes in Salem, considering that it鈥檚 one of the oldest cities in the United States. Even if you鈥檙e not really into history, you can appreciate the architectural style of the times. Some of these historic houses are open to the public as museums while others are privately owned. ***PH***
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Salem Introduction Walking Tour
While first-time visitors to Salem won't want to miss the city's plethora of witch-themed attractions 鈥� the Witch House and Salem Witch Trials Memorial are two of the most popular 鈥� there is more to this mysterious city than just witchcraft. Salem boasts everything from spectacular 17th-century architecture to tranquil beaches and world-class art museums. Check out Salem's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Salem Maritime National Historic Site Tour
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a National Historic Site consisting of 12 historic structures, one replica tall-ship, and about 9 acres (36,000 m2) of land along the waterfront of Salem Harbor in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Salem Maritime is the first National Historic Site established in the United States (March 17, 1938).[1] It interprets the Triangle Trade during the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles