Mount Auburn's 175-acres make up a beautifully designed landscape, not just a cemetery. The grounds also include an arboretum and botanical garden. There are close to 10,000 trees and 60,000 monuments and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as a National Historic Landmark. In addition to its main purpose as a final resting place for many, Mt. Auburn is also a popular destination for the living. Many birders, horticulturists, photographers and walkers enjoy its graceful grounds just to wander around and enjoy the peaceful beauty.
More than 250,000 visitors visit each year - spring and fall are especially popular.
One thing predictable about my behavior is that I will always seek out the highest vantage point for a view. The Washington Tower, named for this nation's first president, George Washington, stands 62-feet tall atop a hill and is made of Quincy granite.
This view from the top of the tower is over the city of Cambridge in the foreground. A portion of the city of Boston is just visible at the right edge of the horizon line.
The Bigelow Chapel peeks through the leaves from the vantage point of the top of the tower.
Fall leaves carpet much of the grounds on the day of my visit.
The Friends of Mt. Auburn is the cemetery's non-profit trust, it offers many public programs, and raises funds to support the facility. www.mountauburn.org is their website for more info.
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