St. Anne’s Cemetery

Take a Stroll through the History of Annapolis

Taking a stroll through this 17-acre cemetery is like taking a trip through the history of Annapolis. Beautiful sculptures, simple headstones, and great monuments mark the final resting places of the many people who made Annapolis what it is today. 

Those honored and recognized include the Brices, the Randalls, the Chases, as well as those who labored unseen. Many citizens also rest here including former enslaved persons and their families, veterans of all of America’s wars, artisans such as John Shaw who fashioned beautiful furniture for Annapolis’ colonial homes, and professors from the Naval Academy and St. John’s College. Come to walk, reflect, and treasure the history of Annapolis in this sacred space.  

  • Locations

    Two locations compose St. Anne’s Cemetery. The first is the area around the church, which has been used as a cemetery since 1692. The second – far larger – section is located as it has been for the last 200 years, between Northwest Street and College Creek.

  • Your Visit to St. Anne's Cemetery

    Welcome to St. Anne’s Cemetery, the historic cemetery of the City of Annapolis. Please review this document which outlines the Rules and Regulations governing visitation to St. Anne’s Cemetery Properties.

  • Garden of Peace and Remembrance

    Visit the Garden of Peace and Remembrance at St. Anne’s Cemetery which was dedicated on May 4, 2025. This is a space for peace, reflection, and remembrance, and is open for all.

    Learn more about the history of the cemetery and the creation of this garden.

  • Available Burial Plots

    There are lots available for sale. They can be used for traditional burials or for several cremation burials. For inquiries, contact Mark Strandquist at mstrandquist@stannes-annapolis.org or 703-850-0561.

Read a brief history

Around 1790, Elizabeth Bordley gave St. Anne’s some land between Northwest Street and the shores of Dorsey (now College) Creek. This was originally known simply as the City Cemetery. Many graves were removed from the St. Anne’s churchyard to create the space that is now Church Circle. Many of those removed were unidentified and the remains are buried together in a grassy mound near the highest point close to the original family vault of the Bordleys. The oldest stone in St. Anne’s Cemetery is dated 1767.

The section of the cemetery closest to the Church is also known as Locust Grove Cemetery. A group of redoubtable ladies called The Saint Anne’s and Locust Grove Cemetery Association took care of the cemeteries for many years starting in 1887. The Cemetery Endowment was established in 1909 and is still in existence today taking care of bequests and endowments for the cemeteries and churchyard. There have been more than 2,400 burials in Locust Grove.

Cemetery boundaries were enlarged in 1901 when the City of Annapolis deeded to St. Anne’s a triangular plot of about two acres along the then newly constructed Rowe Boulevard. In 1990, Cedar Bluff Cemetery was merged with St. Anne’s Cemetery. With over one thousand burials, this was first established as an Elks cemetery and, at one time, housed an African-American chapel of worship.

In addition to veterans from most wars and conflicts, there are many well-known Annapolitans buried here. Those buried include members of the Randall, Buchanan, Mackubin, Murray, Key, Pinkney, Claude, Fell, Tilton, Waddell, Dorsey and Brice families. A transcription of grave markers was completed around 1980 by the Anne Arundel County Geneaological Society. More information can be found at www.aagensoc.org.

 

Cemetery Locations

Two locations compose St. Anne’s Cemetery. The first is the area around the church, which has been used as a cemetery since 1692. The second – far larger – section is located as it has been for the last 200 years, between Northwest Street and College Creek.

Available Lots

There are lots available for sale. They can be used for traditional burials or for several cremation burials. For inquiries, contact Mark Strandquist at mstrandquist@stannes-annapolis.org or 703-850-0561.

Cemetery Use Rules

This document contains the Rules and Regulations governing visitation to St. Anne’s Cemetery Properties.