Woodstock
Artists Cemetery
A Brief History
Rising above the Artists Cemetery, Thomas Penning's ten ton sculpture overlooks one of Woodstock's most enduring settings. Officially operated by the Woodstock Memorial Society, the original 80 ft. by 100 ft. plot of land was purchased by John Kingsbury following the tragic death of his son. Later, joined by friends Carl Lindin, James Shotwell, Bruno Zimm and James Stagg, additional land was purchased and, on November 4, 1934, the Woodstock Memorial Society was incorporated.
In an effort to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape, the founding members sought to limit traditional symbols of grief. As a result, conventional tombstones and other visual intrusions were prohibited. As is still the case today, graves are marked only by ground-level stones, many crafted from native bluestone. In addition to the Penning sculpture, the only other above ground structure permitted is the memorial that honors the life of Byrdcliffe founder Ralph Whitehead and his family.
Unique in its setting and vision, the Artists Cemetery continues to serve as a reminder of Woodstock's countless contributions to the world of art, music, theater and the written word.
Richard Heppner
Woodstock Town Historian
Encircled by the everlasting hills, they rest here who added to the beauty of the world by art, creative thought, and by life itself.
Dr. James Shotwell
Among Those Memorialized Here
Robert Angeloch
Marianne Appel
Milton Avery
Arnold Blanch
Lucile Blanch
Heywood Hale Broun
Bolton Brown
John Brown
Petra Cabot
John F. Carlson
Margaret Goddard Carlson
Penny Carlson
Robert Eric Carlson
Eduardo Chavez
Aileen Cramer
Florence Cramer
Konrad Cramer
Margot Cramer
Bruce Currie
Paula Danziger
Karl Fortess
Emil Ganso
Eugene Gershoy
Marion Greenwood
Philip Guston
Carolyn Haeberlin
John Herald
Jane Van Ness Hays Jones
Wendell Jones
John Kingsbury
John Kingsbury Jr.
Howard Koch
Manuel Komroff
Yasuo Kuniyoshi
Julia Leaycraft
Doris Lee
Harry Leith-Ross
Carl Eric Lindin
Ethel Magafan
Jenne Magafan
Sonia & Georges Malkine
Fletcher Martin
Henry Mattson
John McCellan
Henry Lee McFee
Austin Mecklem
Edward Millman
Alexandra Padwa
John Pike
Vasco Pini
Robert Plate
Walter Plate
Joseph Pollet
Lilo Raymond
Anton Refregier
Charles Rosen
Andree Ruellan
James Shotwell
Hannah Small
Eugene Speicher
James Stagg
Katherine Worthington Taylor
Richard Tee
Phoebe & Belmont Towbin
Janine Pommy Vega
Carl Walters
Harry Wehle
Hervey White
Ralph Whitehead
Located in Woodstock, NY
Take a pleasant walk from the Woodstock Village Green and step into this remarkable setting.
Let your thoughts be carried back through the decades and inspired by Woodstock's cultural legacy.
The Woodstock Artist Cemetery is tucked off the beaten path, minutes from the town's center:
12 Mountain View Avenue
Woodstock, NY 12498
Download a Walking Map.
See Google directions.
Contact Us
WOODSTOCK MEMORIAL SOCIETY
The Artists Cemetery is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Charitable donations are tax-deductible.
To maintain this unique treasure you may send donations to:
The Woodstock Memorial Society
PO Box 1269
Woodstock, NY 12498
For more information about the Woodstock Artists Cemetery please contact
OSCAR BUITRAGO (917) 620-2056