From Revolutionary War to Disney: An Old Burial Hill Cemetery Tour
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Marblehead’s Old Burial Hill Cemetery is one of New England’s oldest and most atmospheric burial grounds. It’s also more than a simple graveyard. On this walking tour, you’ll learn how to decode this cultural archive, where you’ll find headstone motifs with everything from Puritan death symbols to Roman-inspired willows and urns, reflecting changing religious attitudes over the years.
Starting at the historical Redd’s Pond, you’ll learn about Wilmot ”Mammy” Redd, the only Marblehead resident executed during the 1692 Salem witch trials. From there, you’ll climb terraced pathways to see panoramic views of Marblehead Harbor and its iconic lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating stories about the cemetery’s permanent residents and see filming locations from Disney’s beloved Hocus Pocus.
You’ll also hear about moments in American history that shaped this coastal community, including maritime disasters and the Revolutionary War. You’ll see where the original 1600s meeting house stood and find out how Marblehead evolved from a rough-edged fishing village (literally separated from Salem because residents refused to stop fishing on Sundays) to a community that’s preserved its unique character for four centuries.
On this 45-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Visit the brick tomb of General John Glover, a Revolutionary War hero in George Washington’s inner circle
- See the headstone of Joseph Brown, a freed slave who fought in the American Revolution and later ran a tavern in town with his wife
- Discover the poignant Fishermen’s Monument, commemorating the 65 men and boys lost in the devastating gale of 1846
- Learn about Captain James Mugford, whose daring 1776 capture of a British munitions ship helped arm the Continental forces
- Visit the restored headstone of an enslaved woman called Agnis whose unusual stone marker tells a story of oppression
By the end of this tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation for what horror writer H.P. Lovecraft described as “gravestones stuck ghoulishly through the snow like the decayed fingernails of a gigantic corpse” in one of America’s oldest towns.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Salem Voice Tours
Voice tours of Salem, Massachusetts and its surrounding towns, written and read by Erik Smith, who has been a guide for the Essex Institute, Walt Disney Feature Animation, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Salem Trolley. I wrote a weekly column on local history for the Salem Gazette and was the groundskeeper at Pioneer Village for a while. I was born in Salem Hospital and grew up in Hamilton and Marblehead, both towns that were carved out of the original Town of Salem.
I love history and movies so I integrate both into my tours. I traveled a lot in my youth so I brought home with me a new way of looking at my old New England haunts!
You can look me up on the Internet Movie Database or IMDB. I worked on the practical effects crew of "Necronomicon" and as a Production Assistant on the Walt Disney Feature Animation film "Fantasia 2000".
I have also hauled lobster traps with a friend who is a fisherman. I used to joke on the trolley that I was the only guide in Salem with an IMDB page and commercial fishing experience, and I am sure I still am.
VoiceMap is a great way to tour; I hope you will try it out with me!
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 6
Quill Tomb - Where Max Loses His Shoes
In Hocus Pocus, this is where Ice and Erni... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Redd's Pond
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Redds Pond
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Old Burial Hill Cemetery
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Redds Pond Boatworks
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CW Hood Yachts
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Marblehead Trading Co
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Little Harbor Lobster Company
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First Harbor Company
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Eos Designs Studio
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The Landing Restaurant
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The Muffin Shop
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Mookie's at Mugford
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The Little Store
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Beacon Hill Import Co
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Gerry No. 5 Veteran Fireman's Association
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Driftwood Restaurant
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Bus Stop
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F L Woods Nautical Merchants
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The Willie Shaker Gallery
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Black Joe's Pond
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Gas House Beach
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Marblehead Hardware
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Barnacle Restaurant Inc
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Haley's Wine and Spirits
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Arnould Gallery & Framery
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Bus Stop
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationRedd's Pond, Marblehead, MA 01945, USA
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Total distance787m
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Final locationPond St & Orne St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USA
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Distance back to start location200.23m
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins at the entrance to Redd's Pond where Pond Street, Norman Street, and Russel Street all converge and close to where you should be able to find parking for much of the year. If there is an event there may be many cars here, and during the fall and spring when boats are coming out of or going into the water there are apt to be many boats and/or boat trailers on the street. It's best not to park in front of a trailer; look for orange cones or similar objects. Be mindful of signs and stripes painted on the ground for guidance on where not to park. This route is designed to avoid the steep stairs going from Orne Street to the Gazebo which can be difficult for some people. Our route goes uphill gradually, and it takes you first to the first part of the cemetery that is seen in Hocus Pocus, which can be difficult to find.
This is a great spot for birdwatching! If you like birds, bring your binoculars or your camera. During migration it can be difficult to keep track of how many different kinds of Warblers you'll see, as well as many other birds. On a sunny day you can go home with a lot of great bird photos.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The Barnacle Seafood Restaurant, right on Marblehead Harbor, is very close to here and has one of the best views you will find anywhere in New England! You could leave your car where it's parked for this tour and walk to the restaurant and back. Parking closer to the harbor can be tricky. Walk down Orne Street to Franklin and turn left, where you see the fire station Engine 2, and keep walking until you get to a Fork. Choose Selman Street on the right and walk past a few houses until you see the harbor. The Barnacle is on the left on Front Street.
Best time of day
It's illegal to enter the cemetery after dark so plan your trip accordingly. Foggy mornings are best for the right kind of mood! They happen more often than not around here, but it's a great spot to visit any time, even in the rain. For sunshine, if there is any, wait until at least a couple of hours after sunrise because of the trees.
Precautions
This is very hilly terrain; there is a lot of walking up and down somewhat steep inclines. If the weather has been wet, the ground will be soggy. Mosquitos are very present from May-ish to October-ish. If you hang around in one place long enough they will find you. I recommend using some kind of mosquito repellent or device.
As mentioned earlier this route avoids the steep stairs. They can be difficult for a variety of reasons. In the rain they can be slippery, and they are very prone to ice. There is a path that goes in and out of the cemetery that we use at the end; it is much easier!
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