The Newport Cemetery District
For many people entering Newport, the historic burial grounds on either side of Farewell Street provide a first glimpse of the city’s extraordinary history. Together with several nearby burial grounds, they form a distinctive historic cemetery landscape containing centuries of Newport’s history, architecture, monuments, trees, and open space.
In 2024, representatives of Newport’s historic burial grounds gathered in a workshop to discuss the relationship among the cemeteries and explore ways to work together to preserve these important sites and better serve the public. From those discussions, a broader vision emerged: to recognize these interconnected burial grounds as the Newport Cemetery District and establish the Newport Cemetery District Alliance as a framework for collaboration among the organizations responsible for their stewardship.
A master plan has been created that seeks to preserve and enhance this landscape while improving public access, interpretation, and long-term stewardship. The effort also complements broader City initiatives, including Newport’s Tree and Open Space Plan, recognizing the burial grounds not only as sacred and historic places but also as an important part of the city’s cultural landscape and open-space network.
The Newport Cemetery District Alliance
The City of Newport, the Historic Cemetery Commission, and Island Cemetery have worked together for more than a century to serve the burial needs of the community. The Newport Cemetery District Alliance builds upon that longstanding relationship by creating a framework through which the City, the Commission, Island Cemetery, and other participating organizations can collaborate while each retains its individual ownership, authority, and autonomy.
Through the Alliance, participating organizations can address shared needs, coordinate stewardship, and plan for the long-term preservation and management of Newport’s historic burial grounds. Recent examples of collaboration include addressing concerns about off-leash dogs, installing interpretive signage, and restoring historic fencing damaged or lost during storms.
Looking Ahead
The Newport Cemetery District represents an opportunity to approach these historic burial grounds as a connected cultural landscape rather than as isolated sites. Through coordinated planning and the work of the Alliance, the District can preserve historic monuments and landscapes, improve public access and interpretation, strengthen long-term stewardship, and ensure that these remarkable places continue to serve the community for generations to come.
Island Cemetery Newport hosted a one day workshop in Newport to consider how the seven contiguous historic cemeteries (which include Island Cemetery and Annex, Common Burial Ground, Friends Cemetery, the Common Burial Ground, Braman, North Burial Ground and St. Mary’s) might collaborate on developing an achievable vision for connecting and developing their open space.
Important elements included the common goals of the public and private cemeteries and descendants, the surrounding community, visitors, historic researchers, and the City of Newport. and Newport’s Tree and Open Space Master Plan.
Tanya Kelley of PLACEstudio, LLC facilitated the workshop which was funded by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation and held at the Marriott on Friday, April 19th. Matthew Stevens, President and Executive Director of Mount Auburn Cemetery, delivered a keynote talk to the group, followed by a summary presentation of the historic burial grounds in Newport by Lew Keen, former Chairman of the Newport Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission.
In summary,
The workshop focused on various aspects of cemetery preservation, exploring both the historical significance and the practical methods of maintaining cemetery grounds. Participants engaged in discussions about the cultural and emotional importance of cemeteries as spaces for remembrance and reflection.
The session included presentations on identifying and addressing common preservation challenges, such as weathering of stones, invasive vegetation, and the impact of urban development. Attendees learned about best practices for restoration of gravestones and the importance of documenting historical records.
Hands-on activities allowed participants to practice cleaning techniques and understand the tools necessary for effective preservation. The workshop concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees could share experiences and seek advice on specific issues related to their local cemeteries, fostering a sense of community among guardians of these historical sites.
Stakeholder participation in the workshop was diverse and engaged. Representatives from local government, community organizations, and resident groups were present, each bringing valuable insights and perspectives.
The workshop began with an overview of the objectives and topics for discussion, followed by breakout sessions where stakeholders shared their experiences related to the cemetery's management and future plans. Participants were encouraged to voice their concerns, suggestions, and aspirations, fostering an open dialogue.
Interactive activities allowed stakeholders to prioritize issues and potential solutions, ensuring that all voices were heard. The facilitators emphasized the importance of collaborative planning, which resonated with attendees. Feedback was collected through surveys and group discussions to capture the full range of opinions.
The event concluded with a synthesis of the key takeaways, highlighting areas of consensus and identifying next steps for ongoing collaboration. Overall, the participation reflected a strong commitment to community engagement and a shared vision for the cemetery’s future.