The Sharp Burying Ground

In 1832 with space exhausted for new burials in the Old Dutch Church yard, a new property was found near the beginning of Albany Avenue a few blocks away. But by 1870, this small property, known as the Sharp Burying Ground was also filled and newer and larger cemeteries were created elsewhere in the city. Neglected and often subject to vandalism, the Sharp Burying Ground deteriorated over time into a collection of fallen and broken tombstone with grass hiding the original grave markers. In 1995, Mayor T. R. Gallo rededicated the cemetery and the Friends of Historic Kingston began a restoration which is a major and ongoing project of FHK. A 19th century-style wrought iron gate and fence was manufactured and installed by Ron Rifenburg, a Hurley blacksmith. The first plot restored by the Friends was appropriately that of John Sudam, a lawyer and New York State senator who built the house that is now known as the Fred J. Johnston House on the corner of Wall and Main Streets.

See how one local preservationist is keeping the gravestones readable in our Preservation Spotlight article about this site.