By Joshua Scarselli.
Being in the Hudson Valley, we live in an incredibly historic area. New York was one of the earliest places settled in our country, and with that history comes an abundance of cemeteries. This time, we explore the Albany Rural Cemetery.
The Albany Rural Cemetery was founded in 1841. At over 180 years old, this place is absolutely massive. More than 100,000 graves stretch across approximately 467 acres of land. Many notable figures call Albany Rural Cemetery their final resting place, including former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur.
Albany Rural Cemetery is the perfect place to discover all kinds of art. Acres of rolling hills are covered with monuments of every style imaginable. From simple crosses to hand-carved marble masterpieces, this cemetery truly has it all. The scale of the place is overwhelming. I spent several hours here and barely scratched the surface. No matter which direction you look, you’re met with a stunning collection of historic and artistic memorials. The hardest part of the day was deciding which ones to capture with my camera.
Rather than feeling carefully arranged, the cemetery feels like it grew naturally over time. Graves and monuments appear in every direction, layered on top of one another as generations were added to the landscape. Some areas are dense and crowded, while others open up unexpectedly, giving the entire space an unstructured and almost timeless quality.
That sense of disorder adds to the experience. You aren’t guided toward specific points of interest—you discover them. One moment you’re standing beside a modest, weathered headstone, and the next you’re face to face with an elaborate monument tucked away on a hillside. Every path feels like it leads to something unexpected, making exploration feel personal rather than planned.
Albany Rural Cemetery is more than just a place for a final resting place. It’s a space where visitors can take a peaceful morning walk, go for a jog, or simply enjoy the quiet. The serenity of the grounds is as striking as the monuments themselves. If you haven’t been, it’s well worth setting aside a day to explore. Pack a lunch and dine alongside history—just remember to leave nothing behind. At Albany Rural Cemetery, history and beauty truly meet.
