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Historic Cemeteries Lexington has three historic cemeteries, all under town ownership. They were identified collectively as a priority landscape. All three are listed in the National Register as part of historic districts. In addition, the Battle Green contains a single burial plot, where seven of the six men who died during the April 19 battle are buried. Munroe Cemetery—Located east of Lexington Center between Massachusetts Avenue and the bikeway,Munroe Cemetery was established in 1831. It is 6.73 acres and includes a range of 19"'and 20"century headstones and monuments as well as an iron picket fence and attractive plantings of mature trees. Old Burying Ground—Located northwest of the Battle Green, the Old Burying Ground is the oldest(established 1690) and smallest(1.4 acres) of Lexington's historic cemeteries. Most of the headstones are slate. with a few monuments and tombs. Many of the headstones may have been relocated at some point in the past as they are in a circular pattern rather than the more rectilinear pattern that would have been likely during Colonial times. Robbins Cemetery—This small burial ground in East Lexington was established in 1792. It is not as well known as the other two historic cemeteries. The primary issue at all three cemeteries is stone conservation, as all have stones that have fallen, are leaning or are broken. Some of these represent a safety hazard to cemetery users, especially at Old Burying Ground where visitation is heaviest. The DCR publication Preservation Guidelines for Municipally Owned Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries provides guidance on developing preservation plans for burial grounds,including identification and evaluation of the resources as well as preservation strategies. Using this guide the Lexington Historical Commission should: • Update MHC inventory forms for each of the three historic burial grounds. • Consider establishing a cemetery commission to provide oversight for historic burying grounds, as well as for Westview Cemetery. • Work with Historical Society to prepare history and tour brochures for cemeteries linking burial stones with historic houses or events that occurred in Lexington and along the Battle Road. • Work with the Department of Public Works which maintains the cemeteries to develop a preservation and management plan for each town-owned burial ground taking into consideration repair of stone markers, stone walls and fencing related to cemeteries, repair of iron work,removal of invasive growth, ongoing maintenance of plant material. Community Preservation funds are an excellent way of funding such a plan. Il1[vv'ewo y rroggiiaairu 7