Indian Hill Cemetery


Indian Hill Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery located at 383 Washington Street in Middletown, Connecticut on a hill adjacent to Wesleyan University.

History

The hill was originally named "Wunne Wah Jet" by the indigenous Wangunk people who lived in Middletown. Sowheage, a grand sachem in the tribe, built fortifications on the hill around 1639 to protect against enemy tribes and European settlers. Over time, the Wangunk sold much of the surrounding land to settlers but kept the hill parcel for themselves. The Wangunk and settlers lived peacefully together for many decades but the hill parcel was eventually sold to settlers in the late 1700s.
The cemetery was developed as part of the City Beautiful movement which promoted the development of rural environments and landscapes for public spaces including cemeteries. After the yellow fever epidemic of 1841, rural cemeteries were thought to be more hygienic since they were located on the outskirts of cities.
The Indian Hill Cemetery was organized June 11, 1850, under a general act of legislation passed in 1841. The cemetery was dedicated on September 30, 1850, and became the burial site of choice for Middletown's elite.

Russell Chapel

The brownstone gothic revival Russell Chapel was built in 1867. Samuel Russell was a businessman who owned the Russell & Company trading business in Canton, China. He was the first president of the Indian Hill Cemetery Association and the chapel was built by his wife in his memory.
The chapel houses the original bell forged at the Troy, New York Meneely Bell Foundry in 1868.
The chapel is listed on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places.

Notable burials