Hamilton Cemetery was established in 1810 and named after Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and a prominent figure in the American Revolution. The cemetery contains the graves of many notable people, such as artists, writers, sailors, and soldiers. Some of the famous interments include Mary Heaton Vorse, a journalist and social activist; Norman Mailer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; and John Waters, a filmmaker and author. The cemetery is also known for its scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Cod National Seashore.

The cemetery is north of Gifford Cemetery. Across Cemetery Road is Provincetown Cemetery.