History

The Storrs Cemetery is located on a rolling hillside overlooking the University of Connecticut, on North Eagleville Road in Storrs, CT. It was initially created as the Mansfield Burying Ground with the deeding of six acres of land by Charles Storrs on August 25, 1862. On April 5, 1864, Charles Storrs conveyed ten more acres to the eleven trustees of the Mansfield Burying Ground Association. Money ($1,000) was given to the association by Storrs to build a stone wall around the area. In 1945, the cemetery’s name was changed to the Storrs Cemetery.

Charles Storrs and his brother Augustus founded the Storrs Agricultural School, now the University of Connecticut. Charles Storrs, “as a token of my great respect and affection for my deceased father and mother, and out of respect for my native town”, deeded a total of sixteen acres to the cemetery “that shall be forever kept and set apart as a public burying ground.” Mr. Storrs' second conveyance of land included an additional three thousand five hundred dollars for the building of stone walls around the entire parcel. Those walls were built and are still maintained today, adding to the rural charm and esthetic appeal of the area.

Within the original deeded area was a one-acre tract in the center of the six acres. It was designated as the Storrs Family Yard, a burying ground for Storrs family members. Records show that this one acre was granted in 1850. The 1864 deed prescribed that the Storrs Family Yard be moved up the hill to the northwest corner of the cemetery, where it is located today and is reserved for the burial of Storrs family descendants.

Today, the cemetery remains a private, non-profit organization, governed by a board of twenty volunteers who live in Mansfield and neighboring towns. The area is kept mowed and maintained in an attractive, rural, park-like setting. Flowers and small shrubs can be placed graveside, but larger shrubs and trees are not permitted. Graves are available for purchase by anyone, of any town, any nationality, and any religion; we have approximately thirty burials each year. Grave sales and usage are not restricted to Mansfield residents.