The Basics
Address: 342 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie, New York
Website: Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery
Hours: The grounds are open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm every day, and the buildings are open until 4:00 pm
Offerings: The cemetery offers an annual walking tour and provides a guide that can be downloaded for a self-guided tour.
My Visit
I’ve been working in Poughkeepsie lately, and it is a beautiful town on the banks of the Hudson River. I’ve always been a lake girl, as I lived by two of the Great Lakes: Michigan and Erie. However, I have to say that there is something to be said for watching a river and its relentless motion, especially in the winter when you can watch the ice flows.
Sitting alongside the West bank of the Hudson River just outside of town is the approximately 160-acre Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. The cemetery opened in 1853 on 50 acres that had originally belonged to Supreme Court Justice Smith Thomas. Like most rural or garden cemeteries, the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery is beautifully landscaped and full of trees, flowers, and wildlife. However, it is the views of the Hudson River that make it truly spectacular. The views combined with the exposed rock make it one of the few cemeteries that I’ve visited where I could truly say I could spend eternity here.
Like most cemeteries on the East Coast, the gravestones range from old slate tombstones to more modern stones, and there are a few statues and obelisks throughout the grounds. The cemetery is well-kept, and as it was right before Memorial Day, flags decorated the tombs of the fallen. One of the things that I really like about the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery is the solitude. Even though the cemetery is along a fairly major road and next to a large employer, it is quiet and peaceful and truly feels rural.
There are private mausoleums sprinkled throughout the grounds, and there is a large public mausoleum and a columbarium. Unlike the mausoleums in most older cemeteries, which are neoclassical and look as if they have stood for centuries, the mausoleum in Poughkeepsie is more modern. It has a beautiful view of the river and comfortable seating for when people visit their dead. It also has both indoor and outdoor spots. The columbarium is a beautiful pagoda with a statue of a girl holding a butterfly.
The day I visited was stormy and overcast, and the thunderclouds gave off a spooky vibe that contrasted sharply with the peace of the cemetery.
Planning Your Visit
Like all visits to rural cemeteries, it is important to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to either walk up the hills or to drive around and stop when you see something of interesting. It is also very important to note that the gates close sharply at 4;30. However, the exit gate is automated and will open if you happen to find yourself locked in, as I did.
There is also a private residence on the grounds so please be mindful of the private property signs and, as always, be respectful of the dead and their loved ones who may be visiting.