You can remember the past and walk among the graves of those who passed away in the country’s early history at the Copp’ s Hill Burying Ground located in Boston. This area is named for William Copp, who was a shoemaker in Boston. It dates back to 1659 and was first established, and is home to the graves of various craftsmen, merchants and artisans they lived and worked in the North End of Boston. You can see the graves of some of the more famous characters that once lived in this area, including Increase Mather and Cotton Mather, who were two Puritan ministers that played a role in the Salem witch trials. Robert Newman, who helped to hang the lanterns in the Old North Church and Edmund Hartt, who was the primary builder for the USS Constitution.

The graveyard is also rumored to be home to approximately 1,000 African-Americans who were free and lived in the area. The cemetery was used by the English troops as a staging point for their cannons while the battle of Bunker Hill was being fought in 1775. From this vantage point, they could effectively end their fire into the city of Charlestown. These cemetery is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day of the week and is a stop on the Boston Freedom Trail. You can get a more insightful look into the area’s history by taking either the North End Tour or the Pirates and Patriots Tour that is given by the Freedom Trail Foundation.

By taking a guided tour past the burying ground, you will have a costumed guide that can tell you stories about the various people buried there and the history of its establishment. The Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is a fascinating place to get a unique view into the city’s history and to visit the resting spots for some of the city’s most famous residents.