About Us
For over 200 years, Mercer Cemetery at Trenton has honored the lives and stories of those buried here. Surrounded by towering old trees and historic monuments in downtown Trenton, our grounds offer a quiet oasis for reflection in the middle of a busy city. We are preserving this legacy and restoring the landscape for everyone.
A TRENTON FIRST
Established in 1843, Mercer Cemetery was New Jersey’s first non-sectarian burial ground. Built during the "Rural Cemetery Movement," it was designed as a park-like escape from the city—a tradition of beauty and peace we maintain to this day.
STORIES OF VALOR
Mercer is the final resting place for nearly 200 Civil War veterans and Trenton’s first mayor, Samuel Hamilton. From industrial titans to local heroes, the grounds are a living map of the people who shaped our city’s history.
A LIVING LANDSCAPE
Beyond the monuments, Mercer is a vital green space for Trenton. Home to a rare canopy of ancient trees and diverse local birdlife, we provide a quiet sanctuary for nature lovers, historians, and neighbors alike.
Our Mission: Restoration & Revival
For decades, Mercer Cemetery was a hidden treasure waiting to be rediscovered. Today, the Friends of Mercer Cemetery are working tirelessly to restore the Victorian monuments, preserve the rare tree canopy, and re-open our gates to the community.
We aren't just preserving a cemetery; we are reclaiming an urban park for the city of Trenton. Through historical tours, community events, and hands-on restoration, we are ensuring these 4,000 stories are never forgotten.
A Revolutionary Concept
Before Mercer Cemetery was established, burial grounds were often crowded churchyards. In 1843, we broke that tradition by becoming the first non-sectarian cemetery in New Jersey.
Designed as part of the "Rural Cemetery Movement," Mercer was built to be more than a graveyard—it was designed as a public park. Today, we continue that mission, maintaining a peaceful green sanctuary where the living can connect with the stories of those who built Trenton.