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The word cemetery often evokes scenes from movies or personal memories, usually sad ones. A place that’s often thought of as dark and gloomy. A space where people spend their time alone.
Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philly’s East Falls section is quite the opposite of that traditional image.of a grave site. Rather, it’s a place for the community to gather and celebrate life.
Founded in 1836, Laurel Hill Cemetery was established when John J. Smith and his associates purchased 32 acres along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
The land had previously belonged to Joseph Sims, whose estate was known as “Laurel Hill,” inspiring the cemetery’s name. Over time, the cemetery has expanded to 78 acres and has played an enormous role in the East Falls neighborhood.
Open 365 days a year, the place is available for anyone who would want to walk their dogs, take a stroll, or join a walking tour. From young people to seniors, many families come in and think of it as their community park. Laurel Hill Cemetery often gets bird watchers, painters and students who are interested in architecture and sculpture.
The site also features six primary architectural styles and historic monuments, including clusters of Gothic Revival, Classical, Egyptian Revival, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Art Deco mausoleums.
“We just became a site for We Walk Philly, which is a program of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the Parks and Rec department, and the Department of Public Health, and these walks happen all over the city in different communities, and they are led by people in the community,” said Nancy Goldenberg, the cemeteries president and CEO.
These walks are free and are held every Sunday through June and resume in September.
The site also has various notable people interred, including military figures, politicians, and artists. Among them is U.S. Gen. George Meade, who led the Union army to victory at Gettysburg. Colonial astronomer David Rittenhouse, who lent his name to the square, is also buried here. Longtime Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas’ grave is marked by a large microphone, sod from Citizens Bank Park and seats from Veterans Stadium.
Along with those real famous names, a headstone of fictional character Adrian Balboa (“Yo, Adrian!”) that was used in the “Rocky Balboa” film remains among the other graves. Movie fans can occasionally be seen visiting.
“I like to think of the entire cemetery as this Acropolis, a city for the living and the dead, atop this beautiful Wissahickon schist, and way above, overlooking the river, is this little city, and I think within that city is this treasure trove of notable graves and wonderful architecture that blends in with the horticulture and just makes everything so breathtaking,” Goldenberg said.
Notable artists and architects, including members of William Strickland’s family, are buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is also home to the well-known sculpture “Aspiration” by Harriet Frishmuth. Its landscape is also known for being the second major rural cemetery in America, with Mount Auburn Cemetery being the first.
“These rural cemeteries were built outside of the city, and they were meant to be places where people could come with their families and enjoy the fresh air and a day out of the pollution of the industrial city. People literally would come, whether they had a loved one buried there or not, to kind of escape the city,” Goldenberg said.
With over 100 programs and tours, many people from the East Falls neighborhood and surrounding areas come to the cemetery to attend events such as their annual fundraiser, “A Spirited Affair,” a mission- driven expression of Laurel Hill’s identity as a historic cemetery and a vital civic institution. Every year brings in new ways to bring the East Falls neighborhood together to change the way people think of the cemetery.
The location is still an active burial site. Laurel Hill has spaces available for people wanting to make the space their final resting spot. The cemetery is laid out to be a destination for people also seeking a peaceful and scenic outdoor experience. Visitors can join the Friends of Laurel Hill for discounts and special events.
“We very much are vital to the neighborhood, where we contribute to the neighborhood in many ways, and support many of the organizations, and you know, community civic engagement is really, really important to us, and we want to be seen as a civic leader,” Goldenberg emphasized.
As Goldenberg explained, Laurel Hill Cemetery keeps the neighborhood deeply tied to American history while redefining what a cemetery can be through its ongoing programs and educational efforts.
