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While in Salem Massachusetts we visited the old Burying Ground Charter Street Cemetery! It's free to walk around when open! Tony Vanoy Noël Teel Calliope & I strolled around looking at the almost too prestine tombstones in this over 400 yr old Burying Ground! If in Salem you must check it out! They have maps for a donation!
Meh You must pay for a map to see where they're buried. Not much of an explanation. Can't walk off the path.
Really liked this experience, it was kind of moving to see people that were founders of our country and here they are in real life I'll be at deceased but still very much a part of living history. Also don't forget to pay a respects to the which memorial next door very awesome
You can feel the energy of people's lives through the roots and branches of the trees. What a powerful place that's well preserved.
I was walking around Salem taking in the sights when I passed by the Old Burying Point Cemetery. It looked like an interesting place to visit, and I noticed that signage out front had a QR code to purchase tickets - since I had only loosely planned by day in the city, I thought it would be interesting to visit the cemetery. Needless to say, I booked a reservation and a few hours later made my way back to check it out. The Old Burying Point, also called the Charter Street Cemetery, is the oldest cemetery in Salem, and one of the oldest in the country. While admission is free, advance reservations are required which you can make on Eventbrite. Once you enter, there is no time limit you have to stay - depending on how long you want to explore you can see everything in about 30 to 60 minutes. There are a few notable people buried here - a handful of Nathaniel Hawthorne's family and some who had ties to the Salem Witch Trials. The dates of death range from the early 1700s to the early 1800s, and it's interesting to see how the gravestone designs changed over time. The skull headstones are the oldest, followed by the cherub, then the urn and willow being the more recent ones. The cemetery is located in close proximity to several other sights, and due to its self-guided nature it's a great place to stop and take in a bit of the city's history. I really enjoyed my time here and would recommend it to anyone visiting Salem.
A cemetery with graves dating back to the 17th century. Free entry to explore around. Gravestones are fragile and you are urged to remain on path. Lots of historical people are buried here, including the Salem Witch trials as well as some Mayflower passage individuals.
Certainly a very interesting cemetery on Charter Street. It is behind the Peabody Essex Museum and next to the Witch Trials Memorial.It is the burial ground of judges involved in the Salem Withc Trials of the 1690s and Revolutionary War victims. it tarted in 1637 and is also known as the "Charter Street Cemetery". It is the oldest cemetery in Salem. May early and famous Salem residents are buried here such as John Hathorne, a judge in the Salem with trials of 1692 and Samuel McIntire, Salem's great woodcarver. It was a private cemetery of the Wade family, acquired by the town of Medford in May of 1717. The oldest headstone is from 1683 with the latest marked 1881. For 45 years, the land was used as a private farm and plantation! There are more than 50 slaves buried at the cemetery as well as numerous Revolutionary War soldiers laid to rest here. There is no fee to go in; of course, donations are accepted. It is nice to walk through and read the tombstone.
Lots of super old graves here with very rich history! We loved exploring this cemetery and reading the things in the stones. We were glad there were people outside reminding visitors of proper etiquette to preserve these graves.
My family and I stop in Salem last week we decided to hit up all the tourist attractions and sites and sceneries at the sea city has to offer. And this was one of the cooler places we saw that had the Salem witch trials memorial next to it and they had a bunch of unmarked or older graves or you can't see who is buried there anymore but it just brought a lot of earring is saying just memorial in history alive so it's really cool to see
A must see in Salem. The sacredness of this cemetery is mind blowing to see all of the old tombs and tombstones. It has so many gravesites and some are so old you can just barely see an inscription. Also with this cemetery, there is a walk around to see the victims of the witch trials, like a marker of their names, date of death, and what they weree accused of, and how they died. It is so eye opening to see the cemetery and to read the inscriptions and how old and historical this whole area is. I hIghly recommend going to this area more than oNce. Most of the tours will go by here at night, so take lots of pictures to try to catch any orbs. Give it a few tries and really open your eyes and mind to it. It has so much history to be learned and to keep from happening again.
I love an old cemetery and they don't get much older than the ones you find in Massachusetts. Old Burying Point Cemetery is noteworthy for being the place where many of the players in the Salem Witch Trials were buried as well as the final resting place of one of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Tombstones from that era are beautiful and kind of ghoulish, my favorite combination. Adorned with skulls, cherubs, plants, etc depending on the year of death (there were trends in tombstone art by decade), they are many names and death dates to take in here. There are a few loose maps and historical markers that show some of the more significant burial plots but they can be hard to find. I just enjoyed walking through and reflecting on a beautiful summer evening, just before sunset when the light was just right. I didn't do a formal tour but I did overhear one of the walking tours in town come through there which had some fun facts that I'd be interested to learn more about. If we come through I'd definitely do one because I'd love to know more about who was laid to rest there and the history of that burial place. But it's worth a visit even if you're just walking and exploring on your own.
An interesting walk thru Salem's residents last resting place! Viewing the head stones and reading descriptions and variety of years on these head stones.
So very Interesting... AKA: Charter Street Cemetery They seem to be restoring the cemetery very often to keep the tombstones in preserved. The history of this town is absolutely amazing.....
If you are coming during peak times (October) then make sure you book your time slot ahead of time! They do not let everyone walk through and look around. You have to sign up you and your party and boy did they fill up fast! Don't worry if you don't get a spot though! You can get a very good view of the cemetery from the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. read more
11 months ago
Was not exactly walking through this cemetery. I was with on a ghost tour. Really cool history. read more
1 year ago
While in Salem Massachusetts we visited the old Burying Ground Charter Street Cemetery! It's free to walk around when open! Tony Vanoy Noël Teel Calliope & I strolled around looking at the almost too prestine tombstones in this over 400 yr old Burying Ground! If in Salem you must check it out! They have maps for a donation! read more
1 year ago
Meh You must pay for a map to see where they're buried. Not much of an explanation. Can't walk off the path. read more
11 months ago
Really liked this experience, it was kind of moving to see people that were founders of our country and here they are in real life I'll be at deceased but still very much a part of living history. Also don't forget to pay a respects to the which memorial next door very awesome read more
I was walking around Salem taking in the sights when I passed by the Old Burying Point Cemetery. It looked like an interesting place to visit, and I noticed that signage out front had a QR code to purchase tickets - since I had only loosely planned by day in the city, I thought it would be interesting to visit the cemetery. Needless to say, I booked a reservation and a few hours later made my way back to check it out. The Old Burying Point, also called the Charter Street Cemetery, is the oldest cemetery in Salem, and one of the oldest in the country. While admission is free, advance reservations are required which you can make on Eventbrite. Once you enter, there is no time limit you have to stay - depending on how long you want to explore you can see everything in about 30 to 60 minutes. There are a few notable people buried here - a handful of Nathaniel Hawthorne's family and some who had ties to the Salem Witch Trials. The dates of death range from the early 1700s to the early 1800s, and it's interesting to see how the gravestone designs changed over time. The skull headstones are the oldest, followed by the cherub, then the urn and willow being the more recent ones. The cemetery is located in close proximity to several other sights, and due to its self-guided nature it's a great place to stop and take in a bit of the city's history. I really enjoyed my time here and would recommend it to anyone visiting Salem. read more
A cemetery with graves dating back to the 17th century. Free entry to explore around. Gravestones are fragile and you are urged to remain on path. Lots of historical people are buried here, including the Salem Witch trials as well as some Mayflower passage individuals. read more
Certainly a very interesting cemetery on Charter Street. It is behind the Peabody Essex Museum and next to the Witch Trials Memorial.It is the burial ground of judges involved in the Salem Withc Trials of the 1690s and Revolutionary War victims. it tarted in 1637 and is also known as the "Charter Street Cemetery". It is the oldest cemetery in Salem. May early and famous Salem residents are buried here such as John Hathorne, a judge in the Salem with trials of 1692 and Samuel McIntire, Salem's great woodcarver. It was a private cemetery of the Wade family, acquired by the town of Medford in May of 1717. The oldest headstone is from 1683 with the latest marked 1881. For 45 years, the land was used as a private farm and plantation! There are more than 50 slaves buried at the cemetery as well as numerous Revolutionary War soldiers laid to rest here. There is no fee to go in; of course, donations are accepted. It is nice to walk through and read the tombstone. read more
2 years ago
Lots of super old graves here with very rich history! We loved exploring this cemetery and reading the things in the stones. We were glad there were people outside reminding visitors of proper etiquette to preserve these graves. read more
My family and I stop in Salem last week we decided to hit up all the tourist attractions and sites and sceneries at the sea city has to offer. And this was one of the cooler places we saw that had the Salem witch trials memorial next to it and they had a bunch of unmarked or older graves or you can't see who is buried there anymore but it just brought a lot of earring is saying just memorial in history alive so it's really cool to see read more
A must see in Salem. The sacredness of this cemetery is mind blowing to see all of the old tombs and tombstones. It has so many gravesites and some are so old you can just barely see an inscription. Also with this cemetery, there is a walk around to see the victims of the witch trials, like a marker of their names, date of death, and what they weree accused of, and how they died. It is so eye opening to see the cemetery and to read the inscriptions and how old and historical this whole area is. I hIghly recommend going to this area more than oNce. Most of the tours will go by here at night, so take lots of pictures to try to catch any orbs. Give it a few tries and really open your eyes and mind to it. It has so much history to be learned and to keep from happening again. read more
8 years ago
I love an old cemetery and they don't get much older than the ones you find in Massachusetts. Old Burying Point Cemetery is noteworthy for being the place where many of the players in the Salem Witch Trials were buried as well as the final resting place of one of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Tombstones from that era are beautiful and kind of ghoulish, my favorite combination. Adorned with skulls, cherubs, plants, etc depending on the year of death (there were trends in tombstone art by decade), they are many names and death dates to take in here. There are a few loose maps and historical markers that show some of the more significant burial plots but they can be hard to find. I just enjoyed walking through and reflecting on a beautiful summer evening, just before sunset when the light was just right. I didn't do a formal tour but I did overhear one of the walking tours in town come through there which had some fun facts that I'd be interested to learn more about. If we come through I'd definitely do one because I'd love to know more about who was laid to rest there and the history of that burial place. But it's worth a visit even if you're just walking and exploring on your own. read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
So very Interesting... AKA: Charter Street Cemetery They seem to be restoring the cemetery very often to keep the tombstones in preserved. The history of this town is absolutely amazing..... read more
4 years ago
we visited here yesterday. i was part of a paranormal group, they allowed me to come along. the leader of the group sara was vary nice. her mother catherine was there also. a big thank you to sara and her mother for being so nice. read more
8 years ago
Not sure how to rate a cemetery. Do you rate it by the number of spirits that do (or don't) follow you home? The cleanliness of the gravestones? Four stars because I walked through this cemetery and it wasn't too creepy. It is a peaceful, quiet space, which is what you want in a cemetery (right?). This cemetery is an interesting part of the history of Salem. Many people are buried here, some from the 1600s and 1700s! All of them are people who were integral to the start of the Salem area. It's located in the heart of Salem, so just because of its proximity, it has an air of mystery to it. But it's a nice place to stroll through and ponder existential life questions. read more
Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely LOVE anything supernatural (but, I'm also a complete scaredy cat) so, once I booked my Boston ticket; I really wanted to go to Salem. And thankfully, Salem is the most "festive" during October! After walking around a bit and following various "must-see" attractions on a map, we came across the Burying Point. This is the oldest cemetary in Salem and the 2nd oldest in the country. How's the history on that! Completely creepy and UBER beautiful at sunset! Highly recommend coming here as the those killed during the Salem witch trials are buried near by. read more
9 years ago
I happen to love walking around cemeteries for no reason other than thinking about the people who are buried there and their stories. I enjoy reading the quotes on headstones, and the ones in this cemetery were particularly dark for some reason. I could have spent all day wandering, if not for my teens who were ready to move on to the arcade! If you enjoy cemeteries, this is a must see. read more
9 years ago
It's a place to visit if you love historical places and visiting the graves of the many people listed on the map plaque located upon entrance of the cemetery, but then there are all the other people buried who are just as interesting because many died before 1776 (before the Declaration of Independence came to be). The map is a little tricky. There were only 3 people that we could find. They need a better map or someone needs to create a paper map leading us to the right grave and sell it in the tourist shops. Why hasn't anyone thought of this? It was a hot day. If it hadn't been a hot day I would have stayed there all day. read more
5 years ago
11 years ago
14 years ago
Recently I had a friend ask me if money/pay didn't matter and I could do or be anything, what would I choose? The answer is simple: Carnival Dancer by day, mortician by night! Morbid to some but I can't help it, I'm so intrigued by death! On a recent work trip to Salem, I thought it was cool that we were staying near this graveyard. I like to walk through cities when I travel and "feel" the history. This cemetery is the oldest burying cemetery in Salem. Here lies a Mayflower pilgrim (the Mayflower people!) and an ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne...among others. Some of the tombstones are so old you can barely make out the inscription. When you can make any out, it's kinda neat to see some dates as far back as the 16 or 1700s. I wouldn't come here for a family picnic or if you're planning to propose to your boo, but it makes for a different little historical stroll while in Salem. read more
8 years ago
Visited the Burying Point Cemetery with my family in December 2018, and we found it to be a interesting place to visit. When we visiting Salem, we wanted to see all things witch and witch trials. If you are visit Salem for the same reason, make sure this place is on our list. Next to the cemetery is the Witch Trials Memorial. Both are free to explore and take photos. The cemetery is small, and it's my understanding that many if not all of those killed during the witch trials were buried in this cemetery. This place is worth a visit. read more
7 years ago
Cool little cemetery with very old tombstones. Very spooky to think there are people buried here who were part of the trails. Very small, you can be in and out within 10 minutes. Not as touristy as expected, not many people were here when I came. Worth a visit if you are at the memorial since it is right next to it. read more
16 years ago
A bit of history first. The Burying Point is the oldest cemetery in Salem. It was established in 1637. It is the 2nd oldest in America. There are many old, interesting gravestones with unique carvings. One of the most famous people buried in the cemetery is Justice John Hathorne, the great-great grandfather of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. John Hathorne was a judge during the witch trials, and he had a bad reputation. Nathaniel Hawthorne was so ashamed of his ancestor's role in the trials that he added a "w" in his name to make it different. This cemetery is 373 years old. The tombstones are really old. Some of them you can barely read. Some of the tombstones are being restored. I actually like the old crumbling ones. I feel there is more of a story there. I found out a while ago that I am a coimetrophiliac, That is someone who like to visit cemeteries to see the various tombstones, etc. Who knew there was a word for it. I just thought I was weird that way. And as far as cemeteries go, this one is worth the visit. read more
10 years ago
We walked through late at night. It's amazing to see all these preserved graves, yet sad to think of all those who have passed on. Kind of spooky to walk through at night read more
9 years ago
Super spooky but awesome if you love history! The headstones and tombs look like something from a Halloween store, they almost don't look real. This is a must stop. It's nice that they only let so many people in too so it isn't so crowded, because some people are terrible. We heard stories that people destroyed some headstones, which was very disheartening. This is a must stop though! read more
Hubby and I just love roaming through old cemeteries and this one didn't disappoint. It contains the graves of many prominent figures throughout Salem's history. We heard many stories of paranormal activity but unfortunately we didn't experience any. read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
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More info about Old Burying Point Cemetery
Charter St
Salem, MA 01970
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