George Taylor Monument & Chapel

Overview

The Historic Easton Cemetery is home to the final resting place of George Taylor (1716–1781), one of Pennsylvania's signers of the Declaration of Independence. Originally buried at St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery in downtown Easton, Taylor's remains were relocated to Historic Easton Cemetery in 1870, where visitors can pay their respects today.

The centerpiece of this historic site is the magnificent George Taylor Monument, an imposing marble memorial that rises more than 20 feet tall above the cemetery grounds. Erected in 1855, it is believed to be the first publicly funded monument dedicated to a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Atop the monument, an eagle perched upon a draped American flag symbolizes Taylor's patriotism and enduring legacy. Visible from across the cemetery, the monument stands as a powerful tribute to Taylor's contributions to both the Lehigh Valley and the founding of the United States.

Surrounding the monument is Historic Easton Cemetery, a National Register of Historic Places site established in 1849. Spanning 86 acres, the cemetery is considered the earliest and best-preserved example of a romantic park-like cemetery in the Lehigh Valley. Visitors will find thousands of examples of historic funerary art and monuments representing architectural styles including Greco-Roman Revival, Gothic Victorian, and Art Deco.

One of the cemetery's most notable landmarks is its Gothic Revival Chapel, which remains an architectural highlight of the grounds. Along with the historic gatehouse, office, stable, and workshop, the chapel reflects the cemetery's rich nineteenth-century design and craftsmanship. These structures contribute to the serene and reflective atmosphere that has made Historic Easton Cemetery both an active burial ground and a treasured historic destination.

Today, visitors can explore the cemetery daily from dawn to dusk, enjoying its peaceful walking paths, historic architecture, remarkable monuments, and beautiful landscaped grounds while learning about the lives and legacies of those who helped shape the region and the nation.

The George Taylor Monument, grave, and chapel are featured stops on the George Taylor Trail, which highlights locations throughout the Lehigh Valley connected to the life and legacy of George Taylor.