The State Historic Preservation Office in Jefferson City has announced that Mt. Memorial Cemetery has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Mt. Memorial Cemetery is the lesser known of Liberty’s cemeteries because of its location on the campus of William Jewell College. It was the first cemetery to be established in Clay County, other than family burial grounds, and has been in continuous use from the early 1820s.

While cemeteries are not typically eligible for listing in the National Register, Mt. Memorial has special historical significance because it is the final resting place of many of the original settlers and founding fathers of Liberty and Clay County. It is also associated with historic events such as westward expansion, the settlement of the City of Liberty and the Civil War. It also retains a collection of artistic grave markers and monuments from the mid-19th to the early 20th century.

Listing in the National Register is an honorary designation and does not impose any restrictions on the property. In addition to the cemetery, Liberty has six historic districts and eight individual sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Mt. Memorial Cemetery has long been recognized within Liberty for its historic significance and is regularly included as one of the guided walking tours offered by the City of Liberty, in conjunction with Historic Liberty, Inc., each year.  Area residents and history buffs should plan to take part in the next tour, which is scheduled for October 6. 

Over the past several years, the Liberty Cemetery Committee and volunteers have spent many hours making improvements to Liberty’s cemeteries during regularly scheduled clean-up days.  New volunteers are always welcome on clean-up days to help preserve these historical gems. The next clean-up day at Mt. Memorial is slated for October 27. 

Information provided by:
The City of Liberty
Jonna Wensel, Community Development Manager