The Harrisburg Cemetery Association was chartered by act of the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 1845 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (#85000866); an honor testifying to the cemetery's importance. The grounds of the cemetery have grown from the original 12 acres purchased in 1845 to the present day 40 acres that encompass 36 acres of burial space that hold the remains of 36,387 in a wooded landscape and 4 acres of green space reserved for wildlife habitat. 

For the past fifteen years Dauphin County Master Gardeners and the Cemetery Association have partnered in an ongoing project with regards to the grounds. Included is the removal of invasive trees and shrubs and replanting with native species. The identification of all 600 plus trees on our grounds and the first phase of placing ID tags with QR codes linked to the Missouri Botanical Gardens give visitors information about the individual trees. 

The Association and Gardeners hold a Volunteer Day on the 2nd Saturday of the month, weather permitting. This program is for anyone to attend. Master Gardeners are on hand to answer questions and teach appropriate tree and garden maintenance while helping to improve the plantings on the grounds. The 2024 calendar of events and workshops will be published mid-February. 

Spring of 2024 Harrisburg Cemetery will be hosting the Camp Curtin Historical Society for their Civil War tour. This tour features the history of Harrisburg and its citizens during the civil war.