FREE TOUR: Springfield's Historic Cherry Lane Cemetery

Join Bob Comeau as he takes you on a one-hour tour of Springfield’s historic Cherry Lane Cemetery, a small but historically rich burial ground that reflects the city’s early history. Established in 1826 by the First Baptist Society on land donated by John Ashley, it served both as a community graveyard and as a reminder of Springfield’s Revolutionary War heritage.

The cemetery is the final resting place of several veterans of that war, including Levi Dart, Elijah Hyde, and Simeon Pomeroy, early residents such as Joseph Warren Allin, the first person interred here as well as Civil War veterans. Many of the gravestones feature classic 19th-century imagery—urns, willows, and winged souls. Families like the Booths, the Munns, and the Stevenses, who contributed to Springfield’s development, are also buried here. Today, Cherry Lane Cemetery provides a quiet space for reflection, set on a hillside with views toward Forest Park and the city, and it stands as a modest but enduring link to Springfield’s past.

For local historians and genealogists, this cemetery is a source of family history.

This program is supported by the Holyoke Preservation Trust and in part by a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Park on Cherry Street and meet on the sidewalk in front of the cemetery.

Please wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be out in the grass. You may want to bring bug repellant and sunscreen.

Cancellation: You will receive an email if the event is postponed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation (no matter how small) to help the Holyoke Preservation Trust with offering more free cultural and historical events and workshop materials.

* In consideration for participating in the event, by participating, the attendee and any adult and children under the age of 18 accompanying the attendee, agree to hold harmless Holyoke Preservation Trust, its Board of Directors and their officers, all other sponsors and supporters from any and all claims, demands, damages, expenses, and any other liability for injury, death, damage, loss or liability of any kind arising out of or resulting from participation in the tour excepting claims arising out of willful misconduct or gross negligence.

Host or Publisher Holyoke Preservation Trust