Oakwood Cemetery

Oakwood Cemetery is a nonsectarian rural cemetery located in northeastern Troy, New York, United States. It operates under the direction of the Troy Cemetery Association, a non-profit board of directors that deals strictly with the operation of the cemetery. Established in 1848 in response to the growing rural cemetery movement in New England, it went into service in 1850. The cemetery was designed by architect John C. Sidney and underwent its greatest development in the late 19th century under superintendent John Boetcher, who incorporated rare foliage and a clear landscape design strategy. Oakwood was the fourth rural cemetery opened in New York and its governing body was the first rural cemetery association created in the state. The cemetery features four man-made lakes, two residential structures, a chapel, a crematorium, 24 mausolea, and about 60,000 graves, and has about 29 miles (47 km) of roads. It is known both for its dense foliage and rolling lawns, and has historically been used as a public park by Lansingburgh and Troy residents. Oakwood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Prominent Americans such as Uncle Sam Wilson, Russell Sage, and Emma Willard, at least fourteen members of the United States House of Representatives, and the founders of both Troy and Lansingburgh are buried at Oakwood. The cemetery has been said to be "one of New York State's most distinguished and well-preserved nineteenth-century rural cemeteries." It also offers a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley that is said to be the "most concentrated and complete overview of American history anywhere in America". Today, Oakwood Cemetery remains a working cemetery, offering dignified and affordable burial services to families of any faith, income level, or walk of life. As a non-profit and non-sectarian site, it continues to serve the community with available space and is one of the area's most affordable options. The grounds are also enjoyed by the community for special events such as galas, concerts, races, and weddings. The cemetery's website invites visitors to explore its historic grounds, attend programs, and discover the rich history of New York.

The first rural cemetery in the United States—Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts—was developed in the 1830s. Rural cemeteries are burial grounds typically located on the fringe of a city that offer a natural setting for interment of the dead. The development of rural cemeteries followed closely with the English garden movement of the early 19th century. The Troy Cemetery Association was formed on September 9, 1848; John Paine, D. Thomas Vail, Isaac McConihe, George M. Tibbits, John B. Gale, and Stephen E. Warren were elected its trustees. It was the first rural cemetery association incorporated under an 1847 law authorizing the incorporation of such associations. The trustees appointed a committee to report on an eligible location for a cemetery and on September 5, 1849, the first parcel of land was purchased. On October 16, 1850, the land of the cemetery was consecrated and Oakwood became the fourth rural cemetery founded in New York. The Association is made up of lot owners who are elected by fellow lot owners; the position is voluntary and receives no pay. Oakwood was designed by John C. Sidney, a Philadelphia engineer familiar with cemetery design, with the help of Garnet Douglass Baltimore, the first African American to earn a degree from the nearby Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The plan consisted of roads, man-made lakes, dense vegetation, and rolling hills, covering about 300 acres (120 ha), including the modern sections A through Q. Sidney also designed the original superintendent's house and receiving tomb, neither of which exist today. For all Sidney's extensive planning, the first plots were laid out in a seemingly haphazard manner by the first superintendent, Robert Fergusson. Although Sidney was the architect of the cemetery, it was superintendent John Boetcher that gave Oakwood its charm. Boetcher became superintendent in 1871 and continued in the position until 1898. At the beginning of his tenure, Oakwood was said to be quite crude. During Boetcher's tenure Oakwood's most important icons were built: the Earl Chapel and Crematorium, the Warren Chapel Mortuary, the keeper's house, the office lodge, numerous mausolea, and both the 101st Street and 114th Street entrances (including a bridge over the Troy and Boston Railroad on Oakwood's western border to the 101st Street entrance). Boetcher incorporated exceptional landscape design techniques during his tenure; Oakwood developed shifting landscape scenery: some areas are dominated by flowing lawns while others comprise dense foliage. Boetcher brought in rare and foreign plants to help beautify the cemetery, including umbrella pines and Colorado blue spruce. In 1869, the City of Troy bought the property of the Third Street Burying Ground for the site of a new city hall. This was the burial site for many of Troy's earliest inhabitants; the city had bought lot number 102 in Section N for re-interment of 146 graves. The Vanderheyden family and Jacob Lansing, founders of Troy and Lansingburgh respectively, were re-interred in Oakwood from private, family cemeteries. With these re-interments, the graves within Oakwood span the entire history of Troy. Although it was a cemetery by definition, Oakwood quickly became a place for recreation and was used in its early days as a public park. In response to its popularity, many memorials include benches in their design, aimed to invite visitors to rest while enjoying their visit. So popular was Oakwood that in 1908 the Association began a stage service between the Oakwood Avenue and 114th Street entrances. A 325-acre (132 ha) section of Oakwood was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in August 1984 and was added to the Register on October 10, 1984. The cemetery originally owned about 110 acres (45 ha) on the east side of Oakwood Avenue, but sold the land in two transactions in the 2000s (decade). The land deals were made to increase the Association's operating income. As of 2009, the cemetery contained roughly 60,000 graves and its numbers continue to grow. The Association expects to be able to accept interments until at least the early 23rd century.

• 2000

  Cemetery sells about 110 acres on east side of Oakwood Avenue in two transactions to increase operating income.

• 1984

  325-acre section added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 10.

• 1908

  Association begins stage service between Oakwood Avenue and 114th Street entrances.

• 1880

  Hannah and William S. Earl construct the Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel and Crematorium.

• 1871

  John Boetcher becomes superintendent, serving until 1898; major development and iconic structures built.

• 1869

  City of Troy buys Third Street Burying Ground; 146 graves re-interred in Oakwood.

• 1850

  Land consecrated on October 16; Oakwood becomes the fourth rural cemetery founded in New York.

• 1849

  First parcel of land purchased on September 5.

• 1848

  Troy Cemetery Association formed on September 9; first rural cemetery association incorporated in New York State.

A historic, nonsectarian, non-profit rural cemetery offering affordable burial services and community events in a park-like setting.

• Burial plots

• Mausolea and burial vaults

• Cremation services

• Funeral services

• Wedding and event venue

• Historical and educational programs

1. 1Oakwood Cemeteryoakwoodcemetery.org
2. 2The History of Oakwood Cemetery — Oakwood Cemeteryoakwoodcemetery.org
3. 3About Us: The Essentials — Oakwood Cemeteryoakwoodcemetery.org
4. 4Services & Facilities — Oakwood Cemeteryoakwoodcemetery.org
5. 5Oakwood Cemeterywikidata.org
6. 6Oakwood Cemetery (Troy, New York)en.wikipedia.org