Central Burying Ground

Beacon Hill & Boston Common


The Central Burying Ground is one of the city's oldest cemeteries, but it was a less prestigious resting place, used for Catholics, outsiders and British soldiers. The most recognized name here is the artist-in-residence, Gilbert Stuart, also known as the ‘Father of American Portraiture.’


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Beacon Hill & Boston Common attractions

1. Parkman Bandstand

0.11 MILES

Dating to 1912, Parkman Bandstand is now used for concerts, rallies and other events.

2. Boston Massacre Monument

0.13 MILES

Paying tribute to the five victims of the Boston Massacre, this 25ft memorial replicates Paul Revere’s famous engraving of the tragic event.

3. Boston Common

0.15 MILES

America's oldest public park, Boston Common has a long and storied history, serving as a campground for British troops during the Revolutionary War and as…

4. Soldiers & Sailors Monument

0.19 MILES

This massive monument is dedicated to the namesake soldiers and sailors who died in the Civil War. The four bronze statues represent Peace, History, the…

5. Great Elm Site

0.21 MILES

Now marked by a plaque, the Great Elm stood on this site for more than 200 years. History has it that the tree was used for public executions in the 17th…

6. Statue of George Washington

0.27 MILES

At the main (Arlington St) entrance to the Public Garden, visitors are met by a statue of George Washington mounted nobly on his horse.

7. Make Way for Ducklings Statue

0.27 MILES

The most endearing of the Public Garden monuments is Make Way for Ducklings, always a favorite with kids. The sculpture depicts the characters in Robert…

8. Arlington Street Church

0.27 MILES

The first public building erected in Back Bay in 1861, this graceful church features extraordinary Tiffany windows and 16 bells in its steeple. The church…