About Rosehill Trust: Preserving the History of Rosehill Cemetery
While Rosehill Cemetery holds an important place in Chicago’s history and landscape, the care and upkeep of this community treasure require ongoing resources. Recognizing the historical and cultural significance of Rosehill Cemetery, in 1863 the Illinois General Assembly established the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund to ensure the preservation of the cemetery. Rosehill Trust oversees and operates this fund.
The fund’s creators understood that beyond its role as a nondenominational final resting place, Rosehill Cemetery is a community gathering spot, outdoor museum and link to Chicago’s past.
Rosehill Trust was created to act as long-term stewards of this property, supplementing its ongoing care by focusing on Rosehill Cemetery improvement projects that preserve unique historical elements. Through fundraising efforts, we can vastly increase the number of projects that are completed.
Rosehill Trust is made up of a Board of Trustees. See our current Board of Trustees members.
Preservation Projects at Rosehill Cemetery: Past, Current and Future
Rosehill Trust is actively involved in projects to safeguard the beauty and historical significance of the 350-acre Rosehill Cemetery grounds. Your generous support enables our current and future efforts to preserve historic cemetery architecture, statuary, monuments and landscape, including:
- Repair and renovation of the William Boyington-designed main gate bell tower, resulting in the bell becoming operational again after 60 years of silence
- Restoration of 1899 Horatio N. May Chapel, designed by architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee
- Repair of the 1914 mausoleum, including stained glass windows, skylights and ceiling of the chapel outside the Shedd crypts
- Cleaning and restoration of historic monuments and Civil War memorials
- Improvement of curbs to protect historic buildings
- Future beautification and maintenance of the unique and environmentally important tree canopy
Visit our Photo Gallery for pictures of Rosehill Cemetery.