Adoniram Judson Gordon grave monument in a cemetery

Forest Hills Cemetery

Forest Hills Cemetery Boston: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 15/06/2025

Introduction

Forest Hills Cemetery, located in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, is a distinguished landmark that melds history, art, nature, and community. Founded in 1848 by Henry A. S. Dearborn, it was envisioned as a tranquil, park-like burial ground, inspired by the rural cemetery movement. This movement prioritized picturesque landscapes and public access, moving away from the crowded colonial burial grounds of previous eras (Forest Hills Cemetery History). Spanning 275 acres, Forest Hills became Boston’s first public park and served as a model for future urban green spaces, such as Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace (Harvard Magazine).

Visitors are greeted by the iconic Gothic Revival main gate, a historic architectural feature constructed from local puddingstone and sandstone (Michael Kleen). The cemetery hosts a significant collection of Victorian-era funerary art and sculptures by renowned artists, as well as diverse mausoleums. These memorials commemorate notable figures and highlight Boston’s evolving social and cultural fabric (Forest Hills Cemetery Famous People).

As both a living museum of horticulture and a sanctuary for urban wildlife, Forest Hills Cemetery continues to embrace inclusivity, welcoming people from all backgrounds. It remains an active burial ground and a cherished cultural site, offering free admission, guided tours, and a range of special events (CityDays; Forest Hills Cemetery Visiting Hours, Tickets & History | Boston Historical Sites).

Albert Arzouhaljian standing at Forest Hills Cemetery

Entrance gate and administration building at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, featuring a long avenue bordered by various trees and plants

Rows of cemetery headstones in Forest Hills Cemetery

Flower and building at Forest Hill Cemetery

Forest Hill Cemetery entrance gate and trees in daylight

Three employees of Forest Hill Cemetery with one wearing a cap and another with a straw hat

Forest Hills Cemetery entrance with monument and trees

Office building at Forest Hills Cemetery with people gathered outside

Exterior view of Forest Hills Cemetery office building surrounded by trees

Historic photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery office building

Office building at Forest Hills Cemetery with large windows and brick facade

Historic black and white photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery office building

Historic black and white photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery office

Historic Forest Hills Cemetery office building with benches, trees, and pathway in front under clear sky

Exterior view of Forest Hills Cemetery office building with people standing outside

Old office building in Forest Hills Cemetery

Black and white photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery office building with trees around

Forest Hills Cemetery office building in a vintage black and white photograph

Black and white exterior view of a small office building at Forest Hills Cemetery

Historical photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery office building with people in front

Historic office building at Forest Hills Cemetery with vintage architectural details

Classic office building at Forest Hills Cemetery

Forest Hills Cemetery office building with sign

Historic office building at Forest Hills Cemetery with trees surrounding the structure

Forest Hills Cemetery office building surrounded by trees and greenery under clear daylight

Vintage group portrait of individuals including Nicholas A. Campana, Henry S. Adams, Barrett Adams, John L. R. French, Ethel Galbraith, Grace L. Davenport, Janet R. Nuccia, Charles H. Fox, Tom Lafkin, Fred Hargraves, and Frank Dineen

Forest Hills Cemetery with a variety of historic tombstones and monuments

Forest Hills Cemetery with gravestones and autumn trees in the background

Historic black and white photograph of Forest Hills Cemetery featuring headstones and trees

Forest Hills Cemetery historic monument and tombstones under trees

Forest Hills Cemetery with grave markers and tall trees under a blue sky

Forest Hills Cemetery scenic view with trees and pathways

Historic Forest Hills Cemetery Crematory building with stone architecture

Forest Hills Cemetery Crematory building exterior

Sculpture of Death and the Sculptor in Forest Hills and Mt. Hope Cemetery

Aerial view of Forest Hills and Mt. Hope Cemetery with a peaceful landscape

Historical Background and Significance
Visiting Information
Landscape, Art, and Horticulture
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Summary and Travel Tips
References

Historical Background and Significance

Founding and Early Development

Established in 1848 by Henry A. S. Dearborn, Forest Hills Cemetery was designed as a park-like burial ground that would serve both as a final resting place and as a green sanctuary for the living (Forest Hills Cemetery History). Dearborn’s vision, inspired by the rural cemetery movement, led to a landscape of winding avenues, shaded paths, and botanical diversity. This design predated and influenced Boston’s Emerald Necklace, cementing Forest Hills as the city’s first public park (Harvard Magazine).

Architectural and Artistic Heritage

The cemetery’s Gothic Revival gate, designed by Charles W. Panter in 1865, stands as a testament to mid-19th-century architecture (Michael Kleen). The grounds feature family plots, stone masonry, and a remarkable collection of funerary art, including works by Daniel Chester French, Thomas Ball, Harriet Hosmer, and John Wilson (ASLA Guide). These memorials reflect Victorian-era trends in sculpture and commemorate Boston’s notable citizens (Forest Hills Cemetery History).

Forest Hills Cemetery was founded with an inclusive ethos. Plots were made available to people of all backgrounds, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or social class (CBS News). It was among the first in the U.S. to allow Black and white individuals to be buried side by side, reflecting Boston’s progressive spirit (CityDays; Harvard Magazine).

Notable Interments

Forest Hills is the resting place of more than 111,000 people, including:

Joseph Warren: Revolutionary War hero
William Lloyd Garrison: Abolitionist leader
Lucy Stone: Pioneering suffragist, first person in New England cremated at the cemetery
E. E. Cummings: Poet
Eugene O’Neill: Playwright
Anne Sexton: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Maria Baldwin: First African-American principal in Massachusetts
Edgar Helms: Founder of Goodwill Industries
Ruby Foo: Renowned restaurateur
Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti: Anarchists, cremated at Forest Hills (Forest Hills Cemetery Famous People; Wikipedia)

Innovations and Influence

In 1893, Forest Hills established Massachusetts’ first crematorium, marking a shift in burial practices (Wikipedia). The cemetery’s design and inclusive philosophy influenced Boston’s urban park development and set a precedent for cemeteries as places for both remembrance and community gathering (Forest Hills Cemetery History; ASLA Guide).

Visiting Information

Visiting Hours

General Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk (typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Hours may vary seasonally or during holidays. Always check the official website or call 617-524-0128 for current information.

Admission and Tickets

Entrance: Free for all visitors. Donations are appreciated.
Tours: Some guided tours and special events may require advance registration and a fee. Details and schedules are available on the official website.

Directions and Accessibility

Address: 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
Public Transportation: Steps from the Forest Hills MBTA Orange Line station
Parking: On-site parking for cars and bicycles
Accessibility: Most main paths are wheelchair accessible, though some older or hilly sections may be challenging. Contact the office for assistance with accessibility needs.

Guided and Self-Guided Tours

Guided Tours: Offered seasonally from April to October, focusing on history, art, and horticulture. Advance registration recommended.
Private Tours: Available by arrangement for groups, tailored to specific interests.
Self-Guided Visits: Visitors may explore independently during regular hours. Groups of ten or more should register in advance.

For detailed maps and guides, visit the Visitor’s Kiosk or Cemetery Office for a small donation (Forest Hills Cemetery Visiting Hours, Tours, and Visitor Guide in Boston).

Visitor Etiquette

Maintain respect, as this is an active burial ground.
No dog-walking, bicycling, or jogging is permitted.
Photography is allowed for personal use; commercial or group photography requires permission.
Observe floral and decoration guidelines (Floral Decoration Policies).

Landscape, Art, and Horticulture

Landscape Design and Natural Features

Forest Hills epitomizes the rural garden cemetery movement, with winding paths, rolling lawns, and scenic vistas. The landscape is enhanced by Lake Hibiscus, ornamental ponds, and native woodlands, creating tranquil spaces for reflection (Forest Hills Cemetery Horticulture).

Horticultural Richness

The cemetery is home to thousands of trees, including rare and mature specimens such as European beech, ginkgo, Japanese maple, weeping hemlock, and tulip tree. Ornamental gardens and seasonal plantings line the pathways, contributing to the cemetery’s year-round beauty and ecological value (Forest Hills Cemetery Horticulture).

Wildlife Sanctuary

Forest Hills is a haven for urban wildlife, especially birds. Owls, hawks, herons, and numerous migratory species can be observed, making the cemetery a popular spot for birdwatchers (Forest Hills Cemetery Birding).