Speer Cemetery

Caring For The Forgotten Intro: The Speer Cemetery is a historical site located on Vroom Street between Bergen Avenue and Van Reypen Street in Jersey City N.J.

It was established in the 1600's by early dutch settlers. People within the community have intermittently done what they can over the years to help preserve it. You can find details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speer_Cemetery. But there hasn't been any real maintenance in many, many years. I moved to Jersey City about 10 years ago and talked about what a disgrace that there was no upkeep. But

much like everyone else in the community, I felt it was overwhelming to do myself and/or it wasn't my place to do anything. Then approximately 5-7 years ago a new fence went up which was wonderful compared to the old dented fence that had been there prior. Other then the city going in twice a year to cut the weeds down there was really nothing going on in there. Two years ago my fiance and I were walking our dog and I had had enough. I started cleaning the sidewalk and pulling the weeds that were growing out through the fence. We chained up a garbage can so that the people who kept throwing their refuse on the ground now had somewhere to put it. Signs went up in English and Arabic about the community we share and keeping it clean. That small action made such a difference I thought we could do one better. We went inside the cemetery this time and just pulled and pulled weeds until there was somewhat of a clearing. I wanted to pretty it up so we put up Halloween decorations. It was a hit. I had told my fiance at one point that I just wanted people to pay attention to it. There are people buried there who were loved at one point and I found it disrespectful that it seemed as though they were forgotten. They weren't. Needless to say I got my wish and people did start paying attention. Passerby's would thank us for the work, ask questions about the cemetery and some would volunteer to help. We have had enormous help from people in the community. Whether it be time, money or publicity. So I have created this page to get the word out even further, hopefully. I will be posting photos, old and new, information, events and ideas for Speer Cemetery. If you have information, questions and/or concerns regarding Speer Cemetery, you now have a place to do it. I look forward to seeing this historical piece of New Jersey being a part of the caring community again.

01/25/2026

FRIENDS…Please stay home or wherever you are! The only people that should be out are city workers plowing, emergency workers and first responders! Now is the time to depend on and be available to our neighbors. Please stay safe and keep everything charged at 100%…we don’t know what damage all this ice combined with freezing temperatures will do as day turns to night!

01/24/2026

Hey friends! Please be careful when and if this storm comes! Move your car(s) if necessary then hunker down, catch up on movies or shows, play games with your family and enjoy the beauty of nature… carefully and safely!
And don’t forget to keep everything charged just in case!👍

01/06/2026

It’s that time of year again, friends! The holidays are behind us, the long winter is settling in, and now is the perfect moment to lift your spirits by dreaming of spring and summer blooms 🌸

We’ve once again partnered with Flower Power Fundraising, featuring longtime favorites and some exciting new beauties! Choose from annuals or perennials, native plants (our favorite!) or a few exotic standouts. They’re also offering brand-new gardening kits—perfect for the “no fuss, no muss” gardener who wants a gorgeous garden without all the hard work.

New gardening kits = perfect pick-me-up gifts for kids and adults 🌸

Every purchase helps support our mission while bringing beauty to your home and garden.

👉 Go to our exclusive website to see the entire collection available for you:
http://SpeerCemetery.fpfundraising.com
LINK IN BIO

Let’s grow something beautiful together.

01/02/2026

Hey friends! My daughter’s MIL, Amy, gifted both Dan and I shirts and a gardening apron with the Friends of Speer logo on them! These are the type of gifts that you know someone really put some thought into it and knows what’s important to you!
Since there is no title for our relationship, I will call her “friend”. Thanks Amy!

01/02/2026

Greetings, Friends!

Yes—we’re still here! You may have noticed we’ve been a bit quiet lately. I needed some time to focus on family and work, but my dedication to Speer Cemetery and the Friends of Speer has never wavered.

The truth is, running events, fundraisers, social media, grants, correspondence and everything else it takes to run a nonprofit takes a lot of time and energy—and it can’t all be done by one person if we want to be successful. While we are incredibly grateful for our volunteers (we wouldn’t be where we are without you!), we’re now looking for behind-the-scenes help.

Donations are vital—but so are people willing to roll up their sleeves.

If you have the time and passion to help restore and revitalize Speer Cemetery into a historical green space on a consistent basis, we have openings on our board. Please reach out to learn more.

2025 was a great year for Friends of Speer thanks to our volunteers, collaborators, friends, vendors, other nonprofits and the entire community as a whole. Imagine what we can do with a stronger board. The sky’s the limit!

Happy New Year everyone!

PS…I would’ve tagged you all if Instagram would allow it!!

12/14/2025

Happy Hanukkah! The Friends of Speer wish our community a joyful and blessed Festival of Lights. 🕎

12/07/2025

Never forget! ❤️🇺🇸

12/01/2025

Friends, This election is too important to sit out and let others make decisions for you! Remember, the next time you get this chance will be in the year 2030! Do NOT let anything stop you…weather, tired, kids…nothing!
Anyone in Ward C…if you need a ride to your polling place, DM me and I’ll get you there and back, safe and sound!
No excuses!!

11/27/2025

Thanksgiving is a day to pause and count our blessings — and the Friends of Speer want you to know that each and every one of you has been counted as one of ours.

Thank you for your support, your kindness, and your belief in the work we do.
Wishing you a happy, warm, and peaceful Thanksgiving.

11/25/2025

Hey Friends! 💚
This year was huge for Speer Cemetery — from our historic digs to uncovering the DeMott tomb, we made incredible progress. Now it’s time for the next phase: research.

Because so little is known about the people buried at Speer, we’ll be traveling to Trenton to dig through historical archives and uncover their stories. This work takes time, travel, and funding — and we need your help.

This Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2, 2025) please consider choosing Friends of Speer as your nonprofit of choice. Your support directly fuels our research and helps preserve local history.

💚 100% tax-deductible donations - Link in Bio
💚 Every gift makes a difference - Link in Bio

And here’s the exciting part — once we’ve raised enough, you’re coming with us!
I’ll be creating a video diary documenting our research journey and everything we discover about Speer Cemetery and the people who rest here. You’ll get to experience history unfolding in real time.

👉 Donate. Share. Support.
Let’s make history together. 🕯️

Link in bio!

.landmarks

Address

145 Vroom Street
Jersey City, NJ
07306

Telephone

+12015517392

Website

http://www.FriendsofSpeer.org/

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