Jane Addams Burial Site facts for kids
The Jane Addams Burial Site is a special place in Cedarville Cemetery, located in the small village of Cedarville, Illinois, United States. This is where Jane Addams, a very important social activist, is buried with her family. Her father, John Huy Addams, and other family members are also laid to rest here. Jane Addams was well-known for her work at Hull House, a famous community center. She passed away in 1935. Her funeral was held at Hull House, and then her body was brought to Cedarville for burial.
Who Was Jane Addams?
Jane Addams (1860–1935) was an American social reformer and activist. She is best known for co-founding Hull House in Chicago, one of the first and most famous settlement houses in the United States. Settlement houses were places that helped poor people and immigrants by offering education, childcare, and community support. Addams was also a leader in the women's suffrage movement, fighting for women's right to vote, and a strong advocate for world peace. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her efforts to promote peace.
Her Final Days
Jane Addams, the inspiring social activist from Chicago, passed away on May 21, 1935. She had been ill with cancer. When she died, many people felt a great sadness. People from all over the world, including Japan, India, and England, sent messages of sympathy. A famous writer named Walter Lippmann said that she cared deeply for everyone. A newspaper cartoon even showed her achievements as being "carved in imperishable granite," meaning they would last forever.
Choosing Her Resting Place
Before she died, Jane Addams was offered a very special burial spot in the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. This was a great honor, as U.S. President Woodrow Wilson is also buried there. However, Addams chose not to be buried in the National Cathedral. Instead, she wanted to be buried in her small family plot at Cedarville Cemetery, in her hometown of Cedarville, Illinois.
Just two days after her death, on May 23, thousands of people attended her funeral. It was held in the courtyard of Hull House. After the service, her body was taken by train to Freeport, Illinois. From there, it was moved to the Addams family home and then to Cedarville Cemetery for burial.
Her Grave Site
The Addams family burial plot is marked by a tall, pointed stone called an obelisk. This site is in Cedarville Cemetery, not far from where Jane Addams was born at the John H. Addams Homestead.
Jane Addams herself wrote what she wanted on her tombstone. It mentions her connection to Hull House and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Interestingly, her epitaph (the words on her grave) does not mention that she won the Nobel Peace Prize. This shows her humble nature.
In August 2004, the obelisk monument at the family plot was repaired. This restoration was paid for by a donation from the Jane Addams Peace Association. The work included fixing the base of the monument and making sure it was stable.
