Maple Grove Cemetery is located in Kew Gardens, New York just south of Queens Boulevard and west of the Van Wyck Expressway. This area is located on what was part of the Northern Richmond Hill area, now called Kew Gardens. Both names were derived from communities in England by the developers of this Queens area, Albon Platt Man and Alrick Man.

The cemetery rests on ridges of rocky hills called the "Terminal Moraine" by geologists and was the direct result of glacial debris from the last great global Ice Age. The slow-moving sheet of ice gathered and deposited soil and massive rocks helped shape this hilly terrain. The massive glacial wall stopped at this point and the cascade of melting ice caused a runoff flood to the Atlantic creating the southern flat plain that lies south of the present-day cemetery.

This rural cemetery area now consists of 65 acres. Originally the cemetery owned 75 acres, and ten acres north of Queens Boulevard were sold to the city of New York in the 1950's. This property was acquired by purchasing lots from Mary A. Webb in 1875 who owned 80 acres of undeveloped land. Six businessmen from Brooklyn obtained the land with an agreement with Mrs. Webb whereas she would receive one half the proceeds of sales of the burial plots.

In February of 1875 the Maple Grove Cemetery Association was formed in accordance with the Act of 1847 regarding the incorporation of rural cemeteries. Maple Grove was designed in the "new" tradition of romantic cemeteries begun in Auburn, Boston in 1831. The original landscaper is unknown. Maple Grove cemetery is an early example of the inland cemeteries of the railroad era. (Most cemeteries were near water and bodies were shipped on funeral barges.) The Long Island Railroad built a branch around 1880 to serve the cemetery. Parts of the cemetery served as a stone quarry and quarrying of the stone was a source of income for many years.

The first President was William Cogswell who remained President for 60 years. The Lodge Building was the first cemetery structure to be built. It was designed by architect James E. Ware and built by A. Van Dien in December of 1875 at a cost of $2,900. It was located at the entrance of Hoffman Boulevard, now called Queens Boulevard. Inside was the home and office of the cemetery superintendent with waiting rooms for visitors. Mr. Noyes F. Palmer served as an early superintendent. The Lodge was demolished in the 1930s. The Receiving Tomb has a date on the keystone in the arch of 1875, making it the oldest structure in Kew Gardens. During the Victorian Period, receiving tombs were designed to temporarily store remains in winter months when the ground was too frozen to dig. The Maple Grove Receiving Tomb has 30 catacomb type niches. The Administration building, at the entrance on Kew Gardens Road (originally White Pot Road and later renamed Newtown Road) was also designed by architect Ware. Ware In compensation for designing all the early structures at Maple Grove was given $100 and a family plot with 12 graves. He passed in 1918 and is buried in this plot.

Though there have been additions to the original Administration building over the years, it has kept its integrity. It is constructed of fieldstone, which was quarried off the grounds. The building was decorated with copper roofing and an ornamental grille on the cupola. In 1925 architect W.H. Spaulding designed additions to the building to utilize more office space and storage. In 1962 additional alterations were made by Snyder, Strippman & Newman. Behind the administration building attached at the rear is a blacksmith shop. This is now used for their maintenance crew. Attached to the blacksmith shop is a garage extension built in 1975.

Maple Grove Cemetery consists of two sections. The older historic section is named Monumental Park. The original entrance was on Hoffman Boulevard, now Queens Blvd., where the Lodge used to stand and presently where the maintenance building is located. This park makes up about one third of the cemetery. There is another entrance by the Administration Building at the head of Lefferts Blvd and Whitepot Road which became Newtown Road and is known today as Kew Gardens Road.

The new entrance was created on Queens Boulevard when the newer part of the cemetery was created and known as Memorial Park, designed by George McClure in 1943. Memorial Park has the newer type of burial plot, flush with the ground with bronze plaques to mark the graves with landscaping of the contemporary type. This section takes up two thirds of the cemetery. Some landscaping was done in 1951 by the Olmstead Brothers, but from the minutes of the Cemetery President, it is unclear what they did, but they were paid $2,500.00 for their services.

Maple Grove Cemetery is a beautifully landscaped burial ground, with rolling hills, winding pathways and many towering oak trees and deciduous shrubs. It has a lush assortment of flora and fauna with a dedicated horticultural crew. There are two huge Beech trees, planted by Urban Reformer Jacob Ris for his wife Elisabeth in 1905 that tower over her grave today. Both have been added to the Great Trees of New York City by the Parks Department. There are a number of large, impressive monuments, obelisks, vaults, mausoleums, with all the typical Victorian motifs, and stained-glass windows in some of the vaults. There are many statues of women, children, and angels that can be found on the grounds.  Maple Grove Cemetery presents itself as a peaceful serene oasis in the midst of an urban village.

Significance:

The landscaping elements of Maple Grove are that of a late rural cemetery with many original oak, maple, and eastern white pine trees as well as weeping hydrangea and rambling roses. It is well manicured and still presents the "romantic" feel of that era. The sense of tranquility and sense of place still remain as the original intention of a rural cemetery. The curvilinear roads and prominent monuments are in sections named Prospect, Maple, Summit, Central, Linden, Border and South Border.

Maple Grove Cemetery, a nonsectarian cemetery began interring people in 1875, as well as transfers from earlier graves from burial grounds in New York City where development was occurring.

Its historical significance is that many of the forefathers of Queens and Brooklyn's development are buried in this cemetery.  The names alone are impressive for their contributions to the outer boroughs: John Sutphin, the Lott family, Theodore Archer, J. Harvey Smedley, John Backus, Frederick Dunton, Albon Platt Man, Jr., Van Siclen, and Snedeker.

In other historical graves are Elisabeth Ris, Urban Reformer and photojournalist Jacob Ris's wife who passed on in 1905 who has a modest grave that has a small "lamb" on top of its gravestone. The Riis's lived in Richmond Hill for over 30 years. Their house, listed on The National Register for Historic Places was demolished in the 1970's.  The famous family of architects, William C. and John T. Haugaard are resting there. Family members of Percy Crosby, cartoonist of the Skippy cartoons of the 1920's are buried there. The pioneer of radio, the Synchophase inventor, Alfred H. Grebe has a family plot.  An African American woman named Millie Tunnell, aged 111 years, who served George Washington when she was a slave, rests in the South Border since 1896. Humorist and author Don Marquis who died in the 1930's has an elegant grave with a large urn in front of it. Those who rest in Maple Grove come from all walks of life. Some of the tombstones are magnificent, some are humble, mostly made of stone, some with bronze plaques, some with symbols, some just a boulder, but all offer the final resting place in an idyllic setting.  It is a step back in time.

The Center - A Link Between the Cemetery and the Community:

The Center is the 21st century centerpiece of historic, pastoral Maple Grove Cemetery. The cornerstone was placed in 2007 and the building opened in 2009. Peter Gisolfi of Peter Gisolfi Associates, Architects and Landscape Architects, designed The Center as a building that is both spiritual and secular, it is a link between the cemetery and the community and a place to engage visitors spiritually, physically and culturally. With an atmosphere of peace and quiet dignity, The Center offers families a place to gather for interment services, memorial celebrations, and remembrance events.

Guests are welcomed into a sunlit lobby by the soft colors of a two-story fused-glass window and the tranquil sounds of a waterfall. Several beautifully appointed, rentable rooms, accommodating up to 150 people, provide gracious and private settings for family and friends to come together – to share cherished memories and to create new ones.  Full catering options are available in some of the rooms. Designed to be environmentally sustainable, this facility demonstrates respect for the future and reverence for the past. The Center at Maple Grove is conveniently located to all transportation, offers onsite parking, and is handicapped accessible with an elevator.

The Celebration Hall

This majestic room features a wall of windows overlooking a vibrant lake and lush gardens. Its beautiful architecture and décor provide an ideal setting for family and friends to gather before or after the grave site ceremony.  It can be set up for a reception or even a buffet or seated meal.  In addition to Life celebrations and funeral services, the Celebration Hall is used for meetings, art exhibitions and other cultural events.

The Family Room

A comfortable room with a working fireplace and a cozy home-like ambiance.  The Family Room is a private and quiet space, making it an ideal setting for families and small groups to gather.

The Community Room

A light-filled space, equipped with teleconferencing and web-casting technology, perfect for business purposes or to allow families to share their celebration or remembrance event with those who are unable to attend in person.

Memorial Niche Room

The Memorial Niche Room is an indoor state-of-the-art Columbarium located at The Center, with niches to house urns and personal items that memorialize loved ones.  The beautiful glass-front niches provide a dignified and attractive resting place for cremated remains.