Mary Dinsmoor was born into a family defined by its strength of character and devotion to home and community. Her grandfather, Samuel Dinsmoor, had come to Keene, New Hampshire, to practice law following his graduation in 1789 from Dartmouth College. Later, he was New Hampshire's 14th governor, serving from 1831 to 1834. Her uncle, Samuel Dinsmoor Jr., was our state's 22nd governor, serving from 1849 to 1852. She was the eldest child of William Dinsmoor and Julia Fiske. Her brothers George Dinsmoor and Frank Dinsmoor were born later. Each of these children followed the family's example of higher education and service to the community. Mary's brothers both sought higher education and graduated from Dartmouth College and Harvard.

Mary remained in Keene and was very active in the community. The Gazetteer of Cheshire County (1885) tells us that she was the Secretary of the Invalids Home, incorporated in 1874, which was located at 361 Court Street.

After the end of the Civil War, Keene was experiencing a renaissance, looking to polish up and gild the lily on their already fine lands, architecture, and upon the manners of its population. Men and women went in carriages to 'take in the air' and enjoy the continual improvements in the town. Mary was a part of this. She often traveled abroad returning with many items of interest which she would donate to local societies and organizations.

It took some time, but in 1886, Mary was able to purchase the land alongside Maple Avenue to be preserved for the use of the public. As an important member of The Rural Improvement Foundation which was formed in 1886 partly to "improve our public parks", Mary led the way in conserving several acres of beautiful lands in and around Keene.

A few years before her death, Mary also gave the town of Keene an additional 13 acres to be in conservation for the enjoyment of the public. In 1923, the Yale School of Forestry gained permission to carry on its experimental forestry work there under the close eye of the city's park commissioner. Later these woods would become an integral part of the area's "Five Mile Drive" in West Keene.

Mary never married nor did she have any children. Her goodness of heart and generosity of spirit led the town of Keene to add her name to the grounds she worked so hard to preserve. Dinsmoor Woods was one of the most recognizable landmarks in Keene.

She died of a gastric inflammation which led her to starve to death. She was buried in this cemetery on October 1, 1928.

Note:

In early September of 1938, a great hurricane blew into Keene causing many landslides and the destruction of many of Keene's trees including those in Dinsmoor Woods which was completely decimated. The woods were replanted and Dinsmoor Woods remains today as a testament to the determination of Mary Boyd Dinsmoor to see that some land remained conserved for the enjoyment of generations.