description Lexington Cemetery Overview
The Lexington Cemetery is a historic rural or garden cemetery located in Lexington, Kentucky. Established in 1849, the cemetery spans a rolling landscape and is designed as an arboretum with numerous specimen trees. It is the burial site of many prominent Americans, including the influential 19th-century statesman Henry Clay and Confederate Vice President John C. Breckinridge.
The facility remains an active burial ground and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
help Lexington Cemetery FAQ
When did Lexington Cemetery open, and who was its first burial?
The garden cemetery opened for burials in 1849, and the first reinterment was Robert S. Boyd on October 2, 1849. Its founders wanted a rural cemetery outside the crowded town burial grounds. [Lexington Cemetery history](https://lexcem.org/cemetery-history/)
Is Henry Clay buried at Lexington Cemetery?
Yes. U.S. Senator Henry Clay is buried there, beneath a monument that rises about 120 feet and is topped by his statue. The monument is one of the cemetery's best-known landmarks. [Kentucky Historical Society](https://history.ky.gov/markers/lexington-cemetery)
Why is Lexington Cemetery called an arboretum?
Its rolling garden layout includes a large collection of specimen trees and is recognized as a nationally known arboretum. The cemetery functions as both a burial ground and a living landscape, not just a grid of graves. [Lexington Cemetery history](https://lexcem.org/cemetery-history/)
Which other famous people are buried in Lexington Cemetery?
The cemetery's own records list University of Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, Vice President John Breckinridge, and historian Thomas D. Clark among its notable interments. It also maintains genealogical records for people connected with Central Kentucky. [Lexington Cemetery](https://lexcem.org/cemetery-history/)
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