The mission of the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery is to optimize the cemetery's potential as a cultural resource through education, preservation and promotion of Mount Hope Cemetery's unique heritage.

Dedicated in 1838 in Rochester NY, Mount Hope is America's first municipal Victorian cemetery.

Set in a picturesque landscape shaped by retreating glaciers, the cemetery features more than 80 mausoleums, soaring Egyptian obelisks, winged angels of mercy, a Florentine cast-iron fountain, two stone chapels in Gothic Revival style, a Moorish gazebo, and infinitely varied tombstones marking 350,000 graves across 196 acres.

Mount Hope Cemetery is listed in:

    •    Mount Hope/Highland Preservation District, Rochester, New York
    •    New York State Register of Historic Places
    •    National Register of Historic Places
    •    National Park Services National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom
    •    Erie Canalway National Corridor as an Affiliate Site

and is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat and a historic site on Rochester's portion of the Genesee Riverway Trail.
The Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery have been named a Preserve America Steward. This designation is granted by First Lady Michelle Obama to not-for-profit organizations committed to caring for America's cultural heritage.


MAILING ADDRESS
Please address mail correspondence to:
Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery
P.O. Box 18713
Rochester, NY 14618-0713



Snow falling on Mt. Hope Chapel2015 WINTER TOURS

The Friends offer  guided walking tours on level, plowed roadways during  winter and early spring.

Visit the Tours page for more the schedule and other information.

GENEALOGICAL SERVICES
For request forms and information on genealogical services offered by Friends volunteers, click here

FRIENDS OF MOUNT HOPE GIFT SHOP
Visit our Gift Shop to learn about books and posters available from the Friends.

SHOPPING ONLINE AT AMAZON?
Support the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery by choosing us as your charity of choice when you shop at Smile.Amazon.com.