Participate in the Boston By Foot Dorchester North Burying Ground on July 18
What can a burying ground tell us about a neighborhood? Quite a lot. Join Boston by Foot to explore 400 years of Boston history on a walking tour of the Dorchester North Burying Ground, one of the city’s oldest and most significant historic cemeteries. Founded in 1633, this remarkable burial ground offers a window into colonial Boston, the American Revolution, and the generations of people who shaped Dorchester and the city beyond.
Explore the stories of Puritan ministers, Revolutionary War soldiers, skilled stone carvers, merchants, immigrants, and ordinary residents whose lives are recorded in stone. Along the way, discover exceptional gravestone art, learn about the Salem witch trials, slavery in New England, epidemics, and the everyday experiences of the people who lived and died here over three centuries.
As you walk among some of Boston’s oldest gravestones and tombs, you’ll trace the transformation of Dorchester from a rural Puritan settlement to one of Boston’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Through both famous figures and often-overlooked individuals, this tour reveals how a single historic burying ground can tell the story of an entire community.
This tour is offered in collaboration with the City of Boston’s Historic Burying Grounds Initiative.
This tour takes place on Saturday, July 18th at 10 am. Book your spot today here.
Insider’s Tip: Post tour, head to Comfort Kitchen for some brunch!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
This walking tour is a great way to understand Dorchester’s history beyond the usual landmarks. On my previous visit to Boston, I arranged Metro West Car Service for an early ride to the neighborhood before joining a local history tour, which gave me plenty of time to explore the area and appreciate its rich historical stories.