Copp’s Hill Burying Ground
INFO
Hull Street
617-635-4505
Open daily 9:00 - 5:00
CIty of Boston Copp's Hill Burying Ground Website
Freedom Trail Copp's Hill Burying Ground Website
Located in the North End, Copp's Hill Burying Ground is Boston's second oldest burying ground. It was first founded in 1659 as Windmill Hill. The area was named after shoemaker William Copp who once owned the land.
Thousands of artisans, craftspeople, and merchants are buried on the Hill. Additionally, thousands of African Americans who lived in the "New Guinea" community at the base of Copp's Hill are buried in unmarked graves on the Snowhill Street side.
Also interred at Copp's Hill are the Mather family of ministers; shipyard owner Edmund Hartt; Robert Newman, best know for placing the signal lanterns in the steeple of the "Old North" Church on the eve of the Battle of Lexington and Concord; Shem Drowne, the weathervane maker who crafted the grasshopper atop Faneuil Hall; and Prince Hall, the anti-slavery activist and founder of the Black Masonic Order.
GETTING THERE
Copp's Hill Burying Ground in located on Hull Street in the North End neighborhood of Boston. Hull Street is extremely narrow and steep. There is no on street parking on Hull Street.
North Station is on the Green Line, Orange Line and Commuter Rail; Haymarket Station is on the Green Line and Orange Line, and serves as a hub for many bus routes.
The main entrances to Copp's Hill Burying Ground is located on Hull Street and can only be accessed by stairs. The burying ground can also be reached by climbing a long, steep flight of stairs from Commercial Street, up to Copp's Hill Terrace. The back entrance to the burying ground is across from Charter Street from Copp's Hill Terrace.
GETTING AROUND
This location is not accessible, and the grade on Hull Street is VERY steep. Wheelchair and scooter users are advised to avoid Hull Street.
The gravestones can be touched and many have traditional carvings. Some even carry dents from colonial musket fire.
OTHER
Hull Street has a very steep incline. The flight of stairs from Commercial Street to Copp's Hill Terrace is long and steep. Use caution.