Stewards of the Western Cemetery provides continuing care for Portland’s historic Western Cemetery to overcome years of neglect and deterioration, and pays honor and respect to prior generations, war veterans, immigrants, and notable citizens through the restoration of their gravestones and burial sites.
We will create welcoming, community space for: quiet conversation with friends; restful picnics on the open, grassy spaces; enjoying nature among the pines and maples; walks with harbor views; outdoor classes in fresh air; studies and research by history enthusiasts; visitations by descendants and those with historic cultural interests.
News and Updates
The Trustees of the Stewards of the Western Cemetery attended a Portland City Council Meeting on November 17, 2025 at which the Council accepted the Stewards’ gift to the City of the tool shed to be installed in the Western Cemetery. In attendance were John Funk, Jonathan Monro, Sam Wilson and Kip DeSerres. John Funk, President, made remarks on behalf of the Stewards.
Some background: the Stewards embarked on a capital campaign 2 years ago to raise $250,000 to complete improvements to the cemetery. They include a tool shed with electricity and water to house the tools necessary to restore gravestones and maintain thecemetery, a fence and path along the Western Promenade, railing for the steps and the restoration of the remaining portion of the wrought iron fence on the upper west side of the cemetery. In addition, it needed funds to improve the website to provide information to the public about the cemetery and its activities.
To date, the Stewards have raised over $247,500; that is 99% of the goal. This money has been re-invested in the community to pay for services and materials needed to make the improvements. The exterior path and fence are done; the new and historic fence should be completed shortly. The Stewards expect the shed to be installed before winter. Almost all of these improvements were paid for by donations from well over 200 individual Portland residents from door-to-door solicitations. Maine Medical and the Daughters of the American Revolution also provided funds.
Since the Western Cemetery is a city property, the Stewards thought that it was appropriate to donate the shed to the City. It will continue to maintain the shed and other improvements, but wishes their use and enjoyment to be owned by the public through the City.
Western Cemetery added to National Register of Historic Places
2024 Year-End Update
A breakthrough year of work in the Western Cemetery
Your fiscal and physical support has made this a breakthrough year for rehabilitating the neighborhood green space that is the historic Western Cemetery
Bishop Deeley blesses the Catholic ground at Western Cemetery during anniversary ceremony
The Most Reverend Robert Deeley, bishop emeritus of Portland, participated in a rededication ceremony on Sunday, August 11 at Portland’s historic Western Cemetery in honor of the 25th anniversary of the installation of the Great Hunger Memorial. The memorial, originally dedicated by the Ancient Hibernian Order and blessed by Bishop Joseph Gerry on August 15, 1999, marks the final resting place of nearly 1,200 Irish Catholics.
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