Northfield Center Cemetery
Why it's listed
Northfield Center Cemetery occupies a high bluff above the Connecticut River floodplain, a short distance from the center of town. Burials began in 1686, making it the town's first burying ground and the oldest of six cemeteries still existing in Northfield. About 1,700 stones and monuments fill its four sections, including the Moody Cemetery laid out in 1896, and two holding vaults, one dated 1838. The grounds hold many carved markers from the 1700s and early 1800s in sandstone, schist, slate and marble. Ebenezer Janes, a Northfield native, carved a notable group of them, including portrait stones. Other carvers represented include Nathaniel Phelps, Solomon Ashley, Samuel Chapin and Alpheus Longley. Large marble monuments from the 19th century mark family plots. Local legend says the site was chosen after the bones of Sgt. Samuel Wright, killed in 1675, were found there. The cemetery is listed for its link to the town's development and for its artistic gravestone carving.
Significance in brief: It was Northfield's first burying ground and is the oldest of six extant cemeteries in the town, tied to the town's settlement and development. It contains fine examples of pre-industrial gravestone carving, notably a collection by Northfield native Ebenezer Janes. It was found eligible under Criteria A and C at the local level and meets Criteria Consideration D for cemeteries.
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 04001220, listed November 13, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W terminus of Parker Ave., Northfield |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 13, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001220 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1686 to 1954 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Art, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Active cemetery, well maintained by the town, with only one or two burials a year and no lots available for sale. Gravestones are generally in good condition, though many are sunken or leaning and some marble markers are illegible. |
| Acreage | 7.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.69493, -72.46056 (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 04001220.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7059365
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.