Historic Preservation board recommends National Register listing for Western Cemetery

The Portland Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously on Jan. 8, 2025, to recommend that the Maine Historic Preservation Commission list the Western Cemetery (6 Vaughn Street) on the National Register of Historic Places. The board’s recommendation finds the nomination meets National Register Criteria C and National Register Criteria Consideration D.

Staff described the nomination as recognizing the cemetery’s significance “from its distinctive design features that reflect the transition from burial ground to a rural cemetery,” drawing on the nomination prepared by a public historian and volunteers. The staff presentation noted the cemetery already contributes to the locally designated West End Historic District but that an individual National Register listing would expand eligibility for certain grants and preservation funding.

“...the Western Cemetery does meet National Register of Historic Places criterion c and criteria D as a distinctive transitional type of cemetery design between early American burial grounds... and later rural landscape designs,” said Jonathan Monroe, identified as secretary of the Stewards of the Western Cemetery and a co-founder of the volunteer stewards group. He told the board the nomination was prepared with the help of a neighborhood public historian and volunteers who have researched more than 1,000 burials.

John Funk, president of the stewards and a neighborhood resident, described the stewards’ work over recent years: volunteers have repaired more than 50 gravestones to date, logged roughly 1,500 volunteer hours in the most recent year, and raised over $200,000 toward a $250,000 capital target for repairs, materials and infrastructure described in the cemetery’s master plan. Funk told the board the stewards expect ongoing grant opportunities if the cemetery receives National Register recognition.

Greater Portland Landmarks’ incoming director of advocacy, Allison Grady, offered the organization’s support, saying the nomination will help preserve a “very important historic site” and expand access to funding. Board members noted the site’s value as a transitional example between the earlier slate and later granite monuments (speakers observed the Western Cemetery’s monuments are predominantly marble) and praised the stewards’ volunteer conservation work.

During deliberations the board found the nomination met the National Register criteria cited in the staff report and voted to forward the board’s recommendation and a summary of public comment to the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The board’s action will become part of the formal record evaluated by the state commission during its review process.