Chapel at Valley Cemetery |
Valley Cemetery
Location
Bounded by Willow, Valley, Pine and Auburn Streets, the Cemetery occupies 20 acres one block southeast of the Verizon Wireless Arena. Though there are no available lots in the Valley, occasional burials still take place there, the most recent being in 2006.
Directions
From Route 293 North take Exit 5 onto Granite Street. Cross the Granite Street Bridge, and follow Granite Street straight until you reach the Verizon Wireless Arena. Turn right onto Elm Street, then turn left at the second traffic light onto Valley Street. Follow Valley, turning left at the second traffic light onto Pine Street. The main gate is on Pine Street.
From 293 South, take Exit 4, Queen City Bridge exit. Take a right at the end of the ramp, and take your first right onto Queen City Avenue. Cross the bridge, and turn left at the second traffic light, onto Elm Street. Follow Elm Street until you reach your second traffic light (Valley Street), and take a right onto Valley. Turn left at the second traffic light onto Pine Street. The Cemetery is immediately on your left, with the main gate on Pine Street.
From Route 93, take Exit 8 (Bridge Street Exit), heading west, toward downtown. Follow Bridge Street straight through until you reach Chestnut Street (just after you pass Pulaski Park - on your left - the intersection of Chestnut is marked by gas stations on two corners, an office building on third corner, and a motel/rooming house on the fourth corner). Chestnut Street is a one way street headed south, one block before Elm Street. Follow Chestnut all the way to the end. Bear right onto Auburn, and take an immediate left onto Willow Street. Follow Willow Street until you reach Valley (the first traffic light), turn left onto Valley, then take your first left onto Pine Street. The main gate is on Pine Street.
History
City records indicate that the Valley Cemetery land was donated to the City by Amoskeag Manufacturing Corporation in 1841. Through the Valley ran Cemetery Brook (known then as Mile Brook).
The receiving tomb was built in 1888, constructed into the hill north of the brook.
In 1907, the gates at Auburn and Chestnut Streets were donated by Mrs Hannah A. Currier to honor her husband, the late Governor of New Hampshire, Moody Currier. The pedestrian gate, which was closed for many years, has been reopened.
The Gothic chapel was completed in 1932, replacing a wooden chapel that stood at the same site.
Deceased Manchester Mayors buried in "The Valley": Jacob F. James, Warren L. Lane, Frederick Smyth (the only Manchester Mayor to ever be elected governor of NH), Alonzo Smith, David A. Bunton, Darwin J. Daniels, Joseph B. Clark, David B. Varney and William C. Clarke.
|
Removal of Currier Gate for Restoration |
Future
In 2002, the City of Manchester, in conjunction with a volunteer group, The Friends of Valley Cemetery, began a Master Plan of the Valley. Funding included city cash and private donations. The objective of the Master Plan is to develop strategies to restore, enhance, and preserve the natural beauty of this center city cemetery. During the summer of 2003, the Currier Gate, at the south end of Chestnut Street, was removed for restoration.
Private Mausoleums
There are 13 private mausoleums in "The Valley"
| Interred | Lot Number |
|---|
| Aretas Blood | 449 | | E. W. Harrington | 1186 | | Frederick Smyth | 1177 | | Amos and Mary (Ayer) Gale | 1025 | | Nathan Parker | 674 | | R. H. Ayer | 250 | | J. W. Fellows & J. A. Moore | 1125 | | Josiah Crosby | 1123 | | Charles A. Gillis | 1126 | | F. Tenney & J. A. Chamberlain | 1121 | | R. J. Parker | 1176 | | George W. Bailey | 208 | | W. D. Buck | 1122 |
|
