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Chester A. Arthur grave.

Grave of Chester A. Arthur

Field review by the editors.

Menands, New York

Chester A. Arthur (1829/1830-1886), 21st American President, was dead for nearly three years before this fancy tombstone was installed on his grave.

Plaque with disputed 1830 birth date.
Plaque with disputed 1830 birth date.

Titled "Angel of Sorrow," sculpted by Ephraim Keyser, it shows a life-size bronze angel laying a palm frond atop Arthur's black granite sarcophagus. The money was raised by Arthur's friends: $10,000, a lot of cash in the 1880s. The angel and frond have both turned green with age, which makes the whole thing appear even more mournful.

Keyser could not have known that to modern eyes it looks like the angel is casually tidying Arthur's tomb with a Swiffer Duster.

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Grave of Chester A. Arthur

Albany Rural Cemetery

Address:
Albany Rural Cemetery Rd, Menands, NY
Directions:
Just north of Albany. I-787 exit 7W. Drive west on Hwy 378 for two miles. Turn right and enter the cemetery. Drive north a half-mile. Turn left, then make the first right, then the first left. You'll see the American flag flying over the grave: Lot 8, Section 24.
Hours:
Gates open daily M-F 8:30-4, Sa 8:30-12 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
518-463-7017
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Grave of Mary McElroy, Pres. Arthur's Substitute First LadyGrave of Mary McElroy, Pres. Arthur's Substitute First Lady, Menands, NY - < 1 mi.
Grave of Charles FortGrave of Charles Fort, Menands, NY - < 1 mi.
Nipper the RCA DogNipper the RCA Dog, Albany, NY - 3 mi.
In the region:
Hoosac Tunnel Victims Memorial, Florida, MA - 35 mi.

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