welcome
entrance gates of ancient cemetery
close up of tombstone skull with wings
tombstones at sunset in ancient cemetery
entrance gates of ancient cemetery
Our Mission Statement
The Friends of Ancient Cemetery is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting the historical and cultural significance of Yarmouth Massachusetts' oldest burying ground.
News & Announcements
Friends of Ancient Cemetery : Programs & Progress 2019 - 2024
This presentation was given by Laurel Gabel in September 2024 at the Town of Yarmouth DPW office to show town officials and those that have provided grants what we have accomplished in the last five years.
On July 26th we were fortunate to have the terrific Greg Williams present a program on the catacombs and cemeteries of Paris and Rome at the 1717 Meetinghouse in West Barnstable. The audience was captivated and thoroughly enjoyed it. Proceeds in part benefitted our work in Ancient Cemetery. Many thanks to Greg and the Meetinghouse Foundation for partnering with us.
Fannin Lehner Consultants, June 2024
We were fortunate to have the Fannin - Lehner Consultants working in Ancient Cemetery during the week of June 24th. Click the image (then click "slideshow" at the top right of the screen, then click each slide to advance) to see photos of the restoration work they did on gravestones, including those belonging to Sylvanus Matthews, Deacon Samuel Thacher, and the Hamblin Family Monument. Donations and grants make this work possible. Please consider a gift to allow us to continue this work.
New : An Analysis of Epitaphs from Ancient Cemetery Gravestones
Visit our research page to read this new report.
View a spreadsheet of researched burials in Ancient Cemetery
2024 Annual Volunteer Kick-Off Event
Volunteers gathered on Sunday, April 7th, at the Town of Yarmouth Department of Public Works building to enjoy food, fun, friends and a review of 2023 accomplishments.
A new analysis was done of Ancient Cemetery data which was shared with everyone. We'll be posting that soon.
We Need You! Please consider volunteering for one of these important positions.
We promise support and mentoring
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Making
Ancient Cemetery bloom!
Our dedicated volunteers worked, despite the rain, to plant 400 daffodil bulbs along the Winter Street fence in late October. We can't wait for Spring to see them bloom.
Fannin - Lehner Preservation Work Continues, September 2023
Professional conservators continue to assess and repair the most vulnerable gravestones in Ancient Cemetery thanks to town Community Preservation Funds. J & M Fannin-Lehner Preservation Consultants of Concord, MA returned to the cemetery the week of September 11th to assess and repair stones most in need. Photos of some repairs are below - use the arrows to scroll. To read a complete report of the work they accomplished during this visit, please click here.
Award presented to Friends of Ancient Cemetery
FOAC was honored to be selected as one of two recipients in 2023 of the Fred and Rosalee Oakley Certificate of Merit, presented by the Association of Gravestone Studies to individuals and groups that have helped to advance the mission of the Association. The award was made in person by AGS board member Anne Tait, on Sunday, August 27th, at the Bangs Hallet House. Following the presentation, Judi Trainor gave a demonstration of her gravestone foil impression techniques, then the audience was invited to a reception and to view the Friends' exhibit in the museum's exhibit room.
Free Self-Guided Tour at Ancient Cemetery
Visit the gravestones for those Lost at Sea, a self-guided tour narrated by Judi Trainor and produced by Maria Ferrari. The tour begins at the main entrance on Center St. Bring your cell phone or ipad, capture the QR code and follow the audio instructions along with the video maps. The tour can be viewed online. It’s a fun and educational activity for family and friends. Thank you for support from the Mid-Cape Cultural Council.
Click on the image below to begin the tour or there is also a metal sign at the cemetery entrance with a QR code.
Announcing a new addition to the SHOP!
A unique, quality jigsaw puzzle of Ancient Cemetery images is now available. Created specifically to provide hours of entertainment, it arrives in a sturdy black box with the guiding puzzle image on top. Final puzzle is approx 11x14 inches, 252 pieces of fun!
Your purchase will help us continue the work of preserving, protecting, and promoting the historical and cultural significance of Yarmouth Massachusetts' oldest burying ground. All products are sourced from high quality vendors.
Get ready to SHOP!
News & Announcements Archives
To see archived events, please click here.
Contribute to
Friends of Ancient Cemetery
The Friends of Ancient Cemetery, Inc. is a non-profit, all volunteer effort to preserve, and document carved records in Yarmouth's oldest burying ground. Through your tax-deductible support, you can help us continue to preserve our community's history for generations to come.
We are grateful for donations, large or small.
Thank you for your help.
Credit card, debit card or paypal accepted.
Patience Eldridge, d. 1832, age 92