A review of historical records and newspaper articles at the time and interviews with experts illustrate the sweeping impact Togus has had on veterans’ services over the last century-and-a-half, paving the way for a national model of residential care that forever changed the way U.S. veterans were treated after returning from combat.

Several prominent historical figures are among the nearly 5,400 people buried in the cemetery, which has been closed for burials since 1961.