Tucked between Downtown and the palisades cliffs, the Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery has come a long way since being abandoned back 2008, and volunteers who have been upkeeping the site have a fitting Memorial Day tribute planned that honors both the fallen and the land’s military past.
The historical significance of the 6-acre cemetery, at 435 Newark Avenue, dates back to at least 1780, when French General Marquis de Lafayette camped there with 4,000 troops at the request of General Washington during skirmishes with the British. The property also has an ammunition bunker that still stands and was used during the War of 1812.
The cemetery was formerly established in 1829 as one of the country’s first landscaped garden-style graveyards and a caretaker’s cottage was built in 1831. Thousands of armed forces members who fought during the American Revolution, the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars are buried at the cemetery, including many African-American soldiers who fought for the Union that were celebrated during a Black History Month event held in February.
The cemetery had budget problems during the 2000s and was eventually forsaken, but a community group that now takes care of the land eventually wants to create a historical Memorial Park, Museum, and Visitor Center at the site. They’ve been successful in getting the cemetery deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, but haven’t gotten it formerly listed yet.
For locals who wish to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, a free event entitled ‘Honoring Our Heroes’ will be held at the cemetery on Memorial Day starting at 1PM. The celebration, in its 11th year, will feature several honored guest speakers and a musical program by The American Bombshells. MTV Artist and JC local Lovari will also be performing at the event.
The cemetery also features a newly installed “Before I Die…” entry, a movement that was started by artist Candy Chang in New Orleans that asks people what they want to do before their earthly time is up. Jersey City artist Helen Whitehead brought it to Harsimus Cemetery and members of the public can stop in seven days a week to write in chalk what they’d like to see in their life.
The cemetery will also be hosting the JC Oddities Market on June 24th and another unique summer tradition will be returning soon. The caretakers have utilized goats for weed control in the past and this year, residents and business can sponsor their own goat. Fees are $250 or $500 and all those who give will have signage displayed at the site through the Fall and also be invited to special private reception with the goats. Interested parties should email [email protected] or call them at (973) 204-9888.
