Hillside Cemetery
Also known as: Old Cemetery
Why it's listed
Hillside Cemetery covers eighteen acres at the western edge of North Adams, Massachusetts, split by West Main Street (Route 2) into an older northern section begun by 1798 and a larger southern section laid out by 1858. Turf paths and gravel roads follow a grid across steep hills and bowl-shaped valleys, with terraced family plots supported by early concrete and cut-marble retaining walls. Views open onto the surrounding Berkshire hills and the city's mills. Notable features include the ca. 1926 Tinker Mausoleum, three receiving tombs and vaults from 1865, the 1870s and 1893, the 1913 John Henry Haynes monument and the 1937 Art Deco Sullivan Monument. The cemetery was recognized as the city's first public burial ground, holding many industrialists who built North Adams' prosperity, and for its distinctive landscape and well-preserved monuments. Green-veined marble used in many markers reflects the local marble industry.
Significance in brief: The cemetery is North Adams' first public burial ground and holds many industrialists who shaped the city's growth from the mid-19th to early 20th century. Its terraced hills, early concrete retaining walls, mountain views and notable monuments and tombs give it a distinctive character and a high level of integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000722, listed July 19, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | West Main St., North Adams |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | July 19, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000722 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1749-1951 |
| Architect / builder | Col. F. W. Merriam |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Community Planning and Development, Landscape Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still an active cemetery; burials have occurred as late as 1998 and the paths and roadways remain unchanged. |
| Acreage | 18 |
| Coordinates | 42.70056, -73.12270 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000722.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5763905
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.