Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and promote in perpetuity the art, culture, history and natural beauty of Hartford’s nationally recognized Cedar Hill Cemetery. Established in 1864, Cedar Hill is an American rural cemetery encompassing 270 acres of landscaped woodlands, waterways, and memorial grounds.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Cedar Hill serves as a sanctuary for memorial artworks, Hartford history, welcomed wildlife, and ... Read More
Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and promote in perpetuity the art, culture, history and natural beauty of Hartford’s nationally recognized Cedar Hill Cemetery. Established in 1864, Cedar Hill is an American rural cemetery encompassing 270 acres of landscaped woodlands, waterways, and memorial grounds.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Cedar Hill serves as a sanctuary for memorial artworks, Hartford history, welcomed wildlife, and many visitors who come to remember loved ones and tour the grounds. To date, more than 34,000 people have been laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery including manufacturing magnate Samuel Colt, financier and philanthropist John Pierpont Morgan, discoverer of anesthesia Dr. Horace Wells, Tuskegee Airman Lemuel Custis, and four-time Best Actress Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created in 1999, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation maintains and restores the Cemetery’s historic architecture, preserves the historic and unique memorial artworks, conserves and protects the natural resources and wildlife, cares for the picturesque trees and shrubs, and offers educational tours and events to the public.
Since its founding, the Foundation has fulfilled its mission by restoring the monuments of Horace Wells and Oswin Welles; refurbishing the 125-year-old entryway gates; stabilizing the Samuel and Elizabeth Colt memorial; preserving bronze ornaments on the Joseph Hawley, James Laurie, Thomas Seymour, Griffin Stedman and Veteran City Guard monuments; publishing the book "Jacob Weidenmann: Pioneer Landscape Architect" detailing the life and accomplishments of Cedar Hill's landscape architect and first superintendent; restoring the Howard Pyramid marble angel; and planting over 120 trees.
Each year the Foundation shares the art, history and natural beauty of Cedar Hill with approximately 1,800 program participants and innumerable other visitors who enjoy the park-like beauty of the cemetery. Visitors are welcome to experience Cedar Hill by walking, running, biking, photographing, painting, meditating, and birding. The brochures, A Guide for Visitors, A Guide to Notable Trees, and Guide by Cell Audio Tour are available for self-guided experiences.
The Foundation annually provides public programs and events in addition to guided tours for community groups. Over the last several years the Foundation has expanded programming, increased participation, and broadened engagement with the community. Our success has resulted in Cedar Hill becoming a vibrant component of the Hartford cultural community.
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