First Shearith Israel Graveyard – New York, New York - Atlas Obscura
Help us give a voice to the lesser-known stories and places around the world. Become a Member

First Shearith Israel Graveyard

Manhattan, New York

Revolutionary War casualties fill the only 17th century structure remaining in Manhattan. 

Rebekah Gale
Rebekah Gale
First Shearith Israel Graveyard Dmadeo on Wikipedia (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
62
214
Top Places in New York
Union Square Metronome
New York, New York
Plaque of Nikola Tesla on Radio Wave Building
New York, New York
West Side Cow Tunnels
New York, New York
 See All

The First Shearith Israel Graveyard is not only the oldest Jewish Cemetery in New York City, it is also the only 17th century structure still remaining in Manhattan. The small burial site, now located in Chinatown, contains 107 graves, most of which retain legible headstones in a variety of languages including Hebrew, Spanish and Portuguese. A number of the graves belong to soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the landmark graveyard is a popular Memorial Day site to this day. 

Know Before You Go

Does not seem to be open/accessible.

Atlas Obscura Experiences

Rare Herb Tasting Tour at FarmOne

New York, New York
$50 per person
american revolution catacombs crypts catacombs, crypts, & cemeteries graveyards incredible ruins cemeteries
Nearby
Harry Jenning's Rat Pit of the Five Points
0.04 miles
Chinatown's Bloody Angle
0.13 miles
The Sugar House Prison Window
0.15 miles
Near This Place
New York, New York

Harry Jenning's Rat Pit of the Five Points

This humble historic facade hides a history of boozing and the gentlemanly sport of rat-fighting.
New York, New York

Chinatown's Bloody Angle

Avoid gangster interaction while window-shopping.
New York, New York

The Sugar House Prison Window

An odd, ancient window that may have once been part of a brutal prison is embedded in the side of New York's Police Plaza.
New York, New York

Edward Mooney House

Built just after the American Revolution, the oldest row house in New York City still stands in Chinatown.
Related Places
Amiens, France

Jules Verne's Tomb

Science fiction's grandfather has a fittingly marvelous tomb.
Grass Valley, California

Old St. Patrick's Cemetery

Established in 1853, this crumbling cemetery sits forgotten on the corner of Church and Chapel in Gold Country.
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Old Burial Ground

This cemetery served as the only official burial grounds in Cambridge for nearly 200 years.
New Orleans, Louisiana

Lafayette Cemetery

This historic "City of the Dead" lies prominently in the center of New Orleans' famous Garden District.
Appears in 1 List
List

Unique Cemeteries in New York

Famous and historic graveyards to visit in the five boroughs.
Atlas Obscura May 3, 2017