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The Ancient Burying Ground - Hartford's Oldest Historic Site

On the corner of Main Gold Streets, next to Center Church, the Ancient Burying Ground is owned by the City of Hartford and managed in partnership with the Association.
Hartford appropriated parcels of land to serve as a burial ground in 1640. Now bounded by Main, Gold, and Pearl Streets, today's burying ground is part of the original allotment.
An estimated 5-6,000 people from all classes and ethnic backgrounds were laid to rest in the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford from 1640 to the early 1800s.

Headstone for John Sargeant - map location #006

THE STONES SPEAK

Art
Faith,Status

A physical gravestone can often say as much about the person it commemorates & their world as do any words carved into it. The size, design, and images of a gravestone all convey powerful, if silent, messages. Plain stones, angel’s heads, death heads, what do they tell us about the people at the Ancient Burying Ground?

Learn more

Headstone map location #501 - Margaret, John, and Samuel Caldwell
Headstone map location #751 - Doroty Goodwin, 1746

Monuments & Markers

A Photographic Inventory

The Ancient Burying Ground Association is assembling a database of high-resolution photographs, inscriptions & metadata about the gravestones, markers & monuments found there. Over 1,000 photographs have been created, so check back in Fall 2021 as we progress through this major project.

Learn more

African, African-American & Native-American Burials

Visit our project site on African, African-American & Native American Burials at the Ancient Burying Ground, Hartford

Our grant-funded, CLHO-award winning site includes a downloadable database of over 500 individuals of African, African-American, and Native American heritage who may be interred at the Ancient Burying Ground

Go to the African Native Burials site
One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, left section, colorful and compelling sections of African-Americans' faces, their eyes looking at us directly One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, middle section, colorful sections of African & Native Americans' faces, a woman with an ear of native corn, a girl child's face looking at us from the side,realistic eyes staring at us straight on, asking us to account for our past One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, right section, colorful sections of African & Native Americans' faces, right side of a woman's face with an ear of native corn, a man with a floppy hat's direct gaze, a realistic side eye glance at us, asking us to account for our past

Images permission of artist Cora Marshall, featured in the Ancient Burying Ground’s African, African-American, Native American Burials website

African, African-American & Native-American Burials

Visit our project site on African, African-American & Native American Burials at the Ancient Burying Ground, Hartford

Our grant-funded, CLHO-award winning site includes a downloadable database of over 500 individuals of African, African-American, and Native American heritage who may be interred at the Ancient Burying Ground

Go to the African Native Burials site
One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, left section, colorful and compelling sections of African-Americans' faces, their eyes looking at us directly One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, middle section, colorful sections of African & Native Americans' faces, a woman with an ear of native corn, a girl child's face looking at us from the side,realistic eyes staring at us straight on, asking us to account for our past One of three images collaged together from the Ancient Burying Ground's African Native Burials website by artist Cora Marshall, right section, colorful sections of African & Native Americans' faces, right side of a woman's face with an ear of native corn, a man with a floppy hat's direct gaze, a realistic side eye glance at us, asking us to account for our past

Images permission of artist Cora Marshall, featured in the Ancient Burying Ground’s African, African-American, Native American Burials website

Support Us

The Ancient Burying Association is a 501c3 supporting conservation & research about the Ancient Burying Ground. Daily operations of the Burying Ground site are managed by the City of Hartford’s Parks Department, however, ongoing investments in preservation, historical research, education & outreach are supported by the Association.

Support the Association

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The Ancient Burying Ground Association Newsletter

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Many thanks to our community partners & sponsors

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving logo image
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Visit the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving website

CT State Historic Preservation Office logo image
Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office

CT Department of Community & Economic Development

Visit the CT SHPO website

Sons of the American Revolution logo image
CT Sons of the American Revolution

Visit the CT Sons of the American Revolution website

Hartford History Center logo image
Hartford History Center

Hartford Public Library

Visit the Hartford History Center website

William and Alice Mortensen Foundation logo image
William and Alice Mortensen Foundation 

Visit in-person or online

Visit the Ancient Burying Ground in Hartford, or follow us online.

Contact Us

Ancient Burying Ground
Next to, 60 Gold St, Hartford, CT 06103

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