Center Street Cemetery
A historic resting place dating back to the 1600s, Center Street Cemetery offers a peaceful walk through early American history and the lives of its s...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Peaceful and safe exploration
Center Street Cemetery
Best Time
Peaceful and safe exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic resting place dating back to the 1600s, Center Street Cemetery offers a peaceful walk through early American history and the lives of its settlers.
"It's the oldest cemetery in town, with a lot of history."
🚶♀️ Peaceful Stroll
Enjoy a serene walk and reflect on history. It's a peaceful place for quiet contemplation.
🧐 Look for Old Stones
Many stones date back to the late 17th century. Look for unique inscriptions and dates.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 9 reviews
Type
Cemetery
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
17th & 18th Century Gravestones
Throughout the cemetery
Discover weathered stones from the 1600s and 1700s, offering a glimpse into early American life and mortality.
Notable Burials
Various sections
Locate the resting places of figures like Moses Y. Beach (Associated Press founder) and relatives of Yale University's founder.
Lyman Hall Memorial
Near entrance
A memorial to Lyman Hall, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was born in Wallingford.
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Planning Your Visit
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Historical Significance
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Peaceful Stroll
Enjoy a serene walk and reflect on history. It's a peaceful place for quiet contemplation.
🧐 Look for Old Stones
Many stones date back to the late 17th century. Look for unique inscriptions and dates.
📍 Respectful Visit
Remember this is a cemetery. Be mindful of the grounds and the resting places.
📸 Photography
Capture the historical atmosphere, but always be respectful of the site.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Peaceful Stroll
Enjoy a serene walk and reflect on history. It's a peaceful place for quiet contemplation.
🧐 Look for Old Stones
Many stones date back to the late 17th century. Look for unique inscriptions and dates.
📍 Respectful Visit
Remember this is a cemetery. Be mindful of the grounds and the resting places.
📸 Photography
Capture the historical atmosphere, but always be respectful of the site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Center Street Cemetery to be a peaceful and historically significant place, offering a tangible connection to early American life. Many appreciate the well-maintained grounds and the opportunity to reflect among centuries-old gravestones. While it's a place of quiet contemplation, some note the poignant stories of early mortality revealed by the inscriptions.
"I'm a fan of history, remembering our ancestors, and spooky things; so walking in a cemetery (during the day) is peaceful and relaxing to me. I went to Green Kettle down the street for a Yelp Elite Experience; decided to explore the town and saw that this old cemetery was created in circa 1683. That is super awesome and historic. The people that built this cemetery were alive in the 1600s! There are newer plots too. For an old cemetery, it's nicely maintained. I loved seeing all the older plaques from the 1600s to 1800s. I always imagine what life was like back then and seeing gravestones from that era transports me back just a little. If you like serene walks and history, I highly recommend a visit and pay respect to those who walked this earth before us."
Kim V.
"I have been going to this cemetery for the past few weeks to create a restoration plan for a small structure built in a corner of this cemetery. I can’t believe that all these years that I have lived here, I never came here!
The first day I was there, I was sketching the structure from a short distance, and I noticed that there was a grave right next to me with someone who was born on my day of birth hundreds of years ago (it was October, so I freaked out) but then composed myself and continued to scribble in my book until I vaguely looked on my other side and there was ANOTHER!!! omg! What is it trying to tell me!! and then I noticed that this 2nd person never celebrated even the first birthday!! So sad!! That made me look at all the other graves! Majority of the graves I saw were of people, especially women who died well before their 30th birthday!! Women used to die very young! We are talking 1680ish! This real history buried there. Then there are those stones that have names of a husband and his three or four wives who, I presume, all died young and he remarried. I strolled around there that day for at least 3 hours until I had passed by every single grave! I’ll definitely go back to sketch once its warmer again."
Shamila
"Center Street Cemetery dates from 1670, the year Wallingford was founded, and only 50 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock.
It is the resting place of Moses Y Beach, founder of the Associated Press (AP), and Thomas Yale, brother of the founder of Yale University.
There is also a memorial to Lyman Hall, who was born in Wallingford, and was a signer of The Declaration of Independence, though his burial place is in Georgia.
In addition to all that, it is the resting place of my mom, both her parents, her brother (my uncle James, my namesake), and my dad, as well as my grandfather’s brother.
I come here on birthdays, mother's & father's days to reflect & remember them with love & fondness.
It's the oldest cemetery in town, with a lot of history."
Jim C
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Center Street Cemetery is located in Wallingford, Connecticut. It's easily accessible by car. Parking is available on surrounding streets.
While public transport options might be limited directly to the cemetery, you can check local bus routes in Wallingford. It's often best reached by car for ease of access.
The cemetery is situated near major local roads in Wallingford, making it straightforward to navigate to if you're using GPS.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Center Street Cemetery is a public space and does not have an admission fee. Entry is free for all visitors.
As an outdoor public cemetery, it is generally accessible during daylight hours. There are no set closing times, but it's advisable to visit during daylight for safety and visibility.
While not officially closed, visiting at night is not recommended due to safety concerns and lack of lighting. It's best enjoyed during daylight hours.
No booking is required. Center Street Cemetery is an open historical site, and you can visit anytime during daylight hours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The best way to explore is on foot. Take your time to wander through the grounds, read the gravestones, and appreciate the historical atmosphere.
Official guided tours are not commonly advertised. However, you can explore independently and use historical markers or online resources to learn about the notable individuals buried there.
You'll find markers indicating the founding date of the cemetery and highlighting significant individuals buried there, such as Moses Y. Beach and relatives of Thomas Yale.
Reviews suggest that the cemetery is generally nicely maintained, with efforts made to preserve the old stones and grounds.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be on uneven ground. Dress appropriately for the weather.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed. It's a great place to capture historical architecture and atmospheric shots.
Focus on the older gravestones with intricate carvings and inscriptions. The overall atmosphere of the cemetery also makes for compelling photos.
While photography is permitted, always be respectful of the site and any ongoing services or visitors. Avoid intrusive photography.
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