Discover historic tombstones and catch a glimpse of the past. Hartford’s ancient burial ground is the oldest historic site in the city, and it’s wildly fascinating. The graveyard was built in 1636, and it’s incredible to see how much still remains. Experience a bit of the macabre at this unique destination in Connecticut.

This ancient area is Hartford's first graveyard. In the mid 1600s, everyone who passed away was laid to rest here.
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An estimated 6,000 bodies have been buried beneath these grounds.
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As you walk through the area, you'll see headstones that date all the way back to 1648.
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It's a popular place for gravestone rubbing, a technique used by visitors to preserve a piece of the past.
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However, this practice causes tombstones to erode away with time. Thankfully, the Ancient Burying Ground Association works to preserve these old markers.
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons

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The Ancient Burying Ground Association occasionally offers guided walking tours.
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You can also download a self-guided tour pamphlet from their website here.
The headstones don't follow any organizational pattern. In the 1600s, it wasn't customary to bury people next to family members.
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To locate available space, gravediggers used metal rods. When they ran out of space, bodies were buried on top of one another.
Daderot/Wikimedia Commons
With so many old souls buried here, it's not surprising people have reported paranormal activity.
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If you're easily spooked, avoid exploring this place at night. You may encounter chilling ghostly figures.
Many gravestones have been destroyed throughout the years, but there are still dozens of fascinating old headstones standing today.
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This place definitely belongs on your Connecticut bucket list.

Have you ever explored this ancient cemetery in Connecticut? If so, we want to hear all about it! Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

If you want to explore some more eerie places, check out these 10 creepy cemeteries in Connecticut.

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