 It was established in 1848 in response to the growing rural cemetery movement in New England and went into service in 1850.The cemetery was designed by architect John C. Sidney and underwent its greatest development in the late 19th century under superintendent John Boetcher, who incorporated rare foliage and a clear landscape design strategy.Oakwood was the fourth rural cemetery opened in New York and its governing body was the first rural cemetery association created in the state.