Established in 1742, it is the city's oldest cemetery, and the principal surviving element of the town's early settlement.

The cemetery, closed to burials since 1937, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 12, 2008.

It is the resting place for most of Leominster's early settlers, and for many of its 18th and 19th century political and business leaders.

Vehicular circulation is by two grassy (formerly cobbled) roads that run roughly north-south, one of them connecting the north and south gates.

Burials in the cemetery, in addition to early settlers and business leaders, include a number of American Revolutionary War veterans.