Mikveh Israel Cemetery
Also known as: See Also:Independence National Historical Park
Why it's listed
A burial ground in Philadelphia with a brick wall and wrought iron gates, Mikveh Israel Cemetery holds some colonial gravestones alongside mostly nineteenth-century markers and monuments. Its records point to a settled Jewish community in the city as early as 1740, making it the oldest Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia. Colonial, revolutionary and early nineteenth-century figures are buried here, among them several members of the Gratz family and Haym Solomon. Some of the markers are original, while others were erected later. The site has been designated a national shrine by H. R. 7181 and forms part of Independence National Historic Park. It is also certified by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The cemetery's long use and its burials of prominent early American figures are the main reasons it is regarded as important.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as the oldest Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, evidence of a settled community as early as 1740. Colonial, revolutionary and early nineteenth-century figures are buried here, including several members of the Gratz family and Haym Solomon. The cemetery is also noted as a national shrine by H. R. 7181 and as a unit of Independence National Historic Park.
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 71000061, listed June 24, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW corner of Spruce and Darien Sts., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | June 24, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000061 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1740-1899 |
| Areas of significance | Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Washington Square West Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94588, -75.15577 (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 71000061.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2893494
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.