Brookfield Cemetery
Why it's listed
Brookfield Cemetery is the town's principal burial ground, set on a gentle slope above the Quaboag River half a mile west of the common. Burials began in 1714, and about 10,000 grave markers now record the community. The grounds show three stages of growth: a colonial section of slate and sandstone slabs carved with vines, death's heads and soul effigies; a mid-19th century section laid out as a picturesque garden cemetery after 1861, with marble tablets, urns and obelisks; and a flatter 20th century section with granite and flush markers. A rusticated granite arch given to the town in 1873 by William A. Banister and Otis Hayden marks the main entrance, and a cast metal Civil War monument was dedicated in 1890. A granite town vault from 1861 also survives. The cemetery was listed for its artistic gravestones and its close association with the town's development, and it remains in active use and town care.
Significance in brief: The cemetery is significant for its distinctive 18th and 19th century gravestones and for its link to the development and history of the town. It shows three stages of burial-ground design, from a colonial burying ground to a picturesque garden cemetery to a modern lawn-style section. It is considered significant at the local level under Criteria A and C, with 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 03000384, listed May 9, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Brookfield |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | May 9, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000384 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Community Planning and Development, Landscape Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained by the Town and by families who own plots; condition generally good, with weathering of older stones and loss of many iron plot fences and rails. All three sections are still in active use. |
| Acreage | 43 |
| Coordinates | 42.21904, -72.11189 (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 03000384.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4974563
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.