Mid Hudson

Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery 
http://www.poughkeepsieruralcemetery.com/

342 South Avenue Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
Phone: (845) 454-6020

Hours: Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Saturday, 9 AM, to 12 PM. Cemetery grounds are open every day all year from 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Information about their annual guided walking tour, virtual walking tour, and an unguided walking tour map is available here: https://poughkeepsieruralcemetery.com/tours-and-events/

 

Historical Description:

The Mid 1850’s saw a wave of people deciding to get buried in “Rural Cemeteries” and the Hudson Valley people were right on board with the new fad.  Funded in part by Matthew Vassar, who founded Vassar College, Vassar bought 50 acres of land in the plot with hopes of selling it to people. Not enough people wanted to buy into it so Vassar decided to build his summer home on the land.  

 

The Site:

On site you can visit the many different historical figures of the Hudson Valley. Visit Andrew and William Smith’s grave, they are most famous for inventing the throat lozenge. Just past them you will find the area where brewer and founder of Vassar College is buried, Matthew Vassar.