Message From the President

The Prospect Cemetery Association of Jamaica Village is committed to the preservation of Prospect Cemetery and the lovely Chapel of the Sisters. Prospect Cemetery is a New York City Landmark located in the heart of downtown Jamaica, Queens County, New York. It is of great historical value as the oldest burial ground in Jamaica and the final resting place of veterans from all wars from the Revolution onward. Its four-and-one-half acres are filled with beautiful old tombstones, many of unusual design, along with stately obelisks. Those buried at Prospect offer a cross-section of the populace of old Jamaica. Preachers and soldiers, slaves and masters, farmers and merchants all lie at rest here. Their stories are an essential part of the history of America's birth.

But the site offers more than history alone:

Stroll through the pedestrian walkway under the LIRR trestle at 159th Street and Archer Avenue and leave the bustle, noise and traffic fumes at that crossroads of modern transportation far behind. Suddenly you stand before a peaceful tree-filled area where birds and butterflies are plentiful, and squirrels leap from tree to tree. Magnificent old Linden trees grace the frontage, ushering you into the grounds. This quiet, green, open area beckons to those who love nature. Flowers planted by loving hands decades ago have spread over the grounds. Iris, daffodil, hyacinth, periwinkle, daylily, yucca, and my favorite, lily of the valley, still bloom in season. It is a small wildlife sanctuary in the midst of urban sprawl where over 200 varieties of birds have been spotted. It is an outdoor classroom for the study of art, architecture, botany and genealogy. Prospect is a treasure trove for those who take the time to look beyond the surface. Please take a moment now to visit these pages. Thanks for stopping by!

Cate Ludlam
President, Prospect Cemetery Association

Board of Directors
Catherine Ludlam, President
Peter Engelbrecht, Secretary
Karen Ansis, Treasurer

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