description Swan Point Cemetery Overview
Swan Point Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island, established in 1846. Its landscaped grounds combine winding roads, mature trees, monuments, and family plots in the park-like style that shaped many nineteenth-century American cemeteries. It remains an active burial place and is also known as the resting place of author H. P.
Lovecraft, whose grave attracts readers and visitors interested in literary history.
help Swan Point Cemetery FAQ
Where is Swan Point Cemetery located?
It sits along the Seekonk River off Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, Rhode Island, and was established in 1846. Its landscaped, park-like grounds were designed in the rural cemetery style fashionable in 19th-century America.
Is H.P. Lovecraft buried at Swan Point Cemetery?
Yes, the Providence horror writer, who died in 1937, is interred in his family's plot at Swan Point. Fans make pilgrimages to leave notes at his monument, which was added by admirers decades after his death.
Is Swan Point Cemetery open to the public for visits?
Yes, it welcomes respectful visitors during daylight hours, and it is a popular spot for walking and birdwatching along its winding roads. Contact the cemetery office or check its website for current visiting policies and any guided walking tours.
What is a rural cemetery and why does Swan Point count as one?
The rural cemetery movement began with Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1831, creating burial grounds as landscaped public parks. Swan Point, with its mature trees, curving avenues, and ornate Victorian monuments, is a leading New England example of the style.
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