The Woodlands Cemetery Company was founded and Incorporated 180 years ago this week on April 13th, 1840. A group of Philadelphians set out to preserve the estate of William Hamilton, then known as The Woodlands, a mile South West of Philadelphia. They invested in the estate as a rural cemetery company, to offer Philadelphians a burial option outside the crowded city of Philadelphia. The following blog post features excerpts from the original Articles of Incorporation, and includes parallels to ways The Woodlands is used today.
From the Articles of Incorporation:
These grove and those prospects will be sacredly preserved; the buildings restored; and the renewed cultivation of shrubs and flowers be permitted to shed a cheering influence in shaded or sunny lawns, and among the tombs. All that take may suggest or science demand, consistently with the column purpose of the place, will be added to the superior advantages already possessed.
In adapting the grounds to the purpose of a Cemetery, every care has been taken harmoniously to unite simplicity of design and utility with the unmarred and effective scenery. The avenues for carriages of easy grade, give convenient access to all the parts, and the footways conduct to every burial plot.
Eli K. Price, First President of The Woodlands Cemetery Company
Here, amid nature’s beautiful works, embellished by taste, is offered the right of sepulture in perpetuity. Here, in a dry and gravelly soil, the decaying bodies of the dead may securely moulder into kindred dust, with an abundant vegetation and free winds to absorb and dissipate all noxious effluvia. Here, protected by the affectionate care of survivors and the guaranty of the law, may the grave “not undistinguished be,” but, marked by partial friendship, repay visitation by salutary lessons to the human heart.
And whereas, A number of citizens of this Commonwealth hereinafter named have associated for the purpose of establishing a rural cemetery at the Woodlands in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, intending to appropriate the greater portion thereof for the purpose of interments, whereby the beautiful landscape and scenery of that situation may be perpetually preserved, and its ample space for free circulation of air, and groves of trees afford a security against encroachments upon the dead, and heath and solace to the living.
The Woodlands is visited by 40,000 people annually, and during this period of quarantining and social distancing during COVID-19, the site has seen an increase in daily visitors seeking a respite from their daily lives. Throughout The Woodlands’ history there have been periods of popularity and quiet. The following tickets are from the mid 1800’s and were issued to lot holders for access to the grounds.
The Cemetery had become so popular for recreational visits, that only card-carrying lot holders were permitted entry, as a method of crowd control. This was before the public parks movement existed, so rural cemeteries provided an opportunity to spend time outdoors with families picnicking, gardening, and enjoying fresh air.
Much like today, Victorian visitors to The Woodlands appreciated the trees, gardens, and open space. We’re proud to be able to to continue to make The Woodlands accessible during COVID-19, and are hoping to continue to do so into the future. We’re celebrating 180 years of The Woodlands Cemetery Company with our 9th Annual Benefit on Wednesday, July 15th. We hope you’ll join us in support of The Woodlands, you can learn more about the Annual Benefit here.