Historic Mt. Royal cemetery in North Philadelphia has been closed and neglected. That seemingly is about to change. (Credit: localcemeteries.net)
Mount Vernon Cemetery, a historic burial ground in North Philadelphia, is poised for a significant transformation after years of neglect.
A Philadelphia judge has approved the sale of the 26-acre site to Steelmantown Cemetery Company, a New Jersey-based organization specializing in green burials.
The transaction, facilitated by the Philadelphia Community Development Coalition (PCDC), the court-appointed conservator, was finalized for a nominal fee of $1. According to court records, the city of Philadelphia has agreed to waive any tax liens on the property to facilitate the sale.
Steelmantown's owner, Ed Bixby, has committed to investing at least $400,000 over the next 18 months to restore the cemetery's grounds and gatehouse.
According to a report by Axios, Bixby plans to designate an unused portion of the cemetery for environmentally friendly green burials, which avoid the use of embalming fluids and non-biodegradable materials. He emphasizes that this practice aligns with historical burial methods predating the Civil War.
The cemetery, located at Ridge and West Lehigh avenues, is the final resting place for approximately 33,000 individuals, including Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers, prominent industrialists, and ancestors of actress Drew Barrymore.
Despite its historical significance, the site had fallen into disrepair under the ownership of Washington, D.C., attorney Joseph Dinsmore Murphy. Preservationists and volunteers, including the Mount Vernon Cemetery Conservation Company (MVCCC), spent years urging Murphy to relinquish control. In 2020, PCDC was appointed as conservator, investing over $200,000 in cleanup efforts.
Brandon Zimmerman, a volunteer coordinator with Friends of Mount Vernon, expressed optimism about the cemetery's future. The group envisions hosting cultural and artistic events on the grounds, integrating the site into the community's fabric.
While some concerns have been raised about the introduction of green burials, Bixby maintains that such practices are historically grounded and environmentally responsible.
The revitalization of Mount Vernon Cemetery represents a convergence of historical preservation and sustainable innovation, offering a renewed purpose for this storied Philadelphia landmark.
