Ellen T. Brown Memorial Chapel

The Ellen T. Brown Memorial Chapel is now open for events.

The chapel was designed by architect Edwin Sherrill Dodge, a Newburyport native and also the architect of the Newburyport High School. The nondenominational chapel was completed in1914 and intended to be used for funerals of anyone to be buried in area cemeteries. The funds were donated by John T. Brown in 1900 in memory of his wife, Ellen. By 1953, the emergence of modern-day funeral homes had made the chapel a less popular venue for funerals, as well as the fact that its heating system was outmoded and deteriorating.

The board of trustees undertook the project of restoring the chapel in August 2007 and the exterior restoration was completed in November of 2007. The trustees were recognized by the Newburyport Preservation Trust for the chapel historic preservation work. The second phase of the restoration is that of the interior is ongoing.

Though restoration continues the chapel is available to the community May through September for funerals as well as fundraisers, weddings, chamber music concerts, art exhibits, and other events.

Gravestone Restoration

The gravestone restoration project began in the fall of 2007, supported by a generous grant from the Arakelian Foundation. The Newburyport Community Preservation Committee also awarded the cemetery monies to assist staff in repairing gravestones. As of 2014, 410 gravestones have been restored.

Oak Hill Cemetery is home to many of the largest and oldest trees in Newburyport and is a habitat for numerous bird species making the cemetery a popular destination for birdwatchers. There are over 100 trees that are at least 150 years old. Jeff Ott, an arborist who has worked in the Newburyport area for many years, notes that the mixture of species is one of the most impressive in northern New England. The trustees of the cemetery received grants from the Newburyport Community Preservation Committee to assist with work in preserving and restoring the tree population.