If you have the time and enjoy doing things on your own, every inch of the Cemetery can be self-guided. In the entrance Gatehouse, located at Fourth and Taylor Streets, you will find all twelve of the Cemetery’s free brochures, as well as a large plot map of the Cemetery from 1929. There are over 100 plaques installed along the Cemetery driveway that tell the stories of many of those buried here and the times in which they lived.
For those who want a personalized, guided tour of the Cemetery, we offer the following…
Summer Saturdays in the Gravegarden (visit our “Events” page to purchase tickets)
Each Saturday for the 2022 Guided Tour Season (June 11-September 24), OCC offers various tours and events that explore the history of OCC, Lynchburg, and its citizens. Each Summer Saturday Themed Tour begins at 10 AM on the dates given below. The topics for these tours are:
June 11 – Flag Day Commemoration Tour
Old City Cemetery history specialist Kathy McGlothlin leads a tour of assorted veterans buried in the cemetery. Stops on the tour include the graves of veterans of the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, the Great War (World War I), World War II, and the Korean War. Learn the fascinating history of the flags that flew over America during their service.
June 18 – Walking with Pride: Lynchburg African Americans Who Shaped the Twentieth Century
Follow African American history specialist Angelica Walker as she leads a tour highlighting Old City Cemetery’s rich African American history and hear the stories of educators, businessmen, suffragettes, and many more who fought for civil rights and equality. This tour is part of the weekend’s Pathway to Pride dedication weekend, so the public is invited back on June 19 to commemorate Juneteenth and the dedication of the Pathway to Pride project.
June 25 – OCC’s Legion of Civil War Connections
Come learn about Lynchburg’s and Old City Cemetery’s involvement in the Civil War and hear the stories of some of those involved who were laid to rest here at OCC. Cemetery Historian Michael Hudson relates the stories of ordinary soldiers and civilians who played extraordinary roles during America’s most devastating conflict.
July 2 – Gravestone Monuments & Symbols
Visit the Cemetery’s “First Acre,” or oldest section that dates to 1806, with historian Judith Harvey. Learn the meaning of the intriguing carved symbols on many grave markers, from flags to flutes. Dozens of symbols send a silent message to visitors and help tell the stories of residents buried here.
July 9 – An Introduction to Old City Cemetery
Are you new to Old City Cemetery? Would you like to know more about its history and how it serves the Lynchburg community? Guide Judi Harvey, a longtime volunteer and staff member at Old City Cemetery, relates stories of some of the fascinating people who are buried at Old City Cemetery. Also, learn a bit more about how OCC benefits our area, what kinds of programming is available, and how you can get involved in helping to preserve local history.
July 16 – Don’t Goat Me Started: Up Close with OCC’s Resident Quadrupeds
Hoof on over to the Gravegarden and spend an hour of your morning greeting, petting, and feeding our four-legged friends named Morris, Sampson, and Baxter. Horticulturalist Evan Reedy and OCC Marketing Manager & Historian Michael Hudson share some fascinating facts about our goats’ species. Get on the horn and tell your friends!
July 23 – Walking with Pride: Lynchburg African Americans Who Shaped the Twentieth Century
Follow African American history specialist Angelica Walker as she leads a tour highlighting Old City Cemetery’s rich African American history and hear the stories of educators, businessmen, suffragettes, and many more who fought for civil rights and equality.
July 30 – Tom Burford Memorial Dedication
Tom Burford (1935-2020) was a champion of Old City Cemetery who dedicated a significant portion of his life to studying and educating the public on the robust topic of heirloom apples. Mr. Burford was a founding member of the Old City Cemetery’s Board of Directors and an internationally known orchardist. A leading figure in the resurgence of America’s cider industry, he played a major role in returning heritage apples to mainstream cultivation. Join Old City Cemetery volunteers and staff as we dedicate a bronze/stone memorial to honor Mr. Burford for his inestimable contributions to this eclectic realm of horticultural scholarship. This is a free event and will be held across from the Cemetery’s Bicentennial Chapel.
August 6 – 19th Century Mourning Customs
The Victorian era brought to America many unusual customs for mourning the deceased. Lynchburg residents – including children – followed national trends of how society paid tribute to its dead. Historian Judi Harvey will detail the wearing of blacks, appropriate jewelry, and the history behind those trends in this special tour. This presentation will be given in the Cemetery’s Bicentennial Chapel.
August 13 – An Introduction to Old City Cemetery
Are you new to Old City Cemetery? Would you like to know more about its history and how it serves the Lynchburg community? Guide Kathy McGlothlin, Office Manager at Old City Cemetery, relates stories of some of the fascinating people who are buried at Old City Cemetery. Also, learn a bit more about how OCC benefits our area, what kinds of programming is available, and how you can get involved in helping to preserve local history.
August 20 – Notable African Americans of the 19th Century
Old City Cemetery holds the stories of nearly 20,000 residents buried here for the past 215 years. Old City Cemetery Researcher Angelica Walker shares some of her favorite stories of African American “residents” of Old City Cemetery who made their mark on Lynchburg’s robust history prior to the turn of the 20th Century.
August 27 – Lynchburg’s Life-Giving Medicinal Herbs
Horticulturalist and Old City Cemetery volunteer Whittney Chauta leads a hands-on tour of the Pest House’s medicinal herb garden and describes how these important plants saved many soldiers’ lives despite the brutal medical conditions imposed by the Civil War. Special focus is given to Dr. John J. Terrell’s holistic medical innovations and usage of medicinal herbs in his treatment approach.
September 3 – Stories of the Stones
There are so many wonderful stories that are ready to be told about the individuals who lived and worked locally. Visitors will enjoy learning about how these people of the past lived their lives. Many of the stories highlighted in this tour have previously not been heard by the public. (Note: Unlike other tours, this tour will begin at the “top of the hill” near the Cemetery Gatehouse.)
September 10 – True Tales of the Strange, Mysterious, and Macabre
OCC Historian Michael Hudson invites visitors to explore some of the unpleasant secrets of the past belied by the Cemetery’s natural beauty. Themes of grave robbery, abnormal causes of death, and foul play are just a sampling of reasons that the “good old days” weren’t always so idyllic. Fans of true crime and unsettling tales will find that this tour is something different – and right up their dark alley. (Warning: Some themes discussed – while still a part of our community’s history – might be disconcerting for some visitors.)
September 17 – Earley Shrub Garden Tour
Created in memory of Lillian & Harold Earley, the Shrub Garden offers a garden path filled with a wide array of local historic shrubs and trees highlighted by architectural remnants of the City of Lynchburg. Explore our city’s history as evidenced by its famous columns, sculptures, and more, located across from our Bicentennial Chapel. The tour will be led by historian Kathy McGlothlin.
September 24 – Notable African Americans of the 19th Century
Old City Cemetery holds the stories of nearly 20,000 residents buried here for the past 215 years. Old City Cemetery Researcher Angelica Walker shares some of her favorite stories of African American “residents” of Old City Cemetery who made their mark on Lynchburg’s robust history prior to the turn of the 20th Century.
Summer Saturdays Themed Tours and events begin at the Cemetery Center and are held 10 am -11 am unless otherwise noted.
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 for children (ages 5-12), children under 5 are free
Reservations are available through Eventbrite at: www.gravegarden.org/events/
Candlelight Tours (visit our “Events” page in September to purchase tickets)
Candlelight Tours is a consistently sold-out living history program that portrays the lives of 8-12 people who lived or died in Lynchburg, or who are buried at OCC. This program, beloved by the community, represents local history as told through the eyes of individuals chosen to represent all walks of life – rich and poor, educated and illiterate, free and enslaved.
Tickets go on sale on September 17 and can be purchased through eventbrite.com.
Tour dates are October 9,10,15,16,17,22,23,24.
HISTORY Private Group Tours (call the Cemetery Center at 434-847-1465 to reserve place)
In the area of history, we give tours including as many or as few of these topics as desired:
- Cemetery Ironwork, Gravemarkers, and Symbolism
- Confederate Section & Lynchburg’s Civil War Medical History
- Pest House Medical Museum–Civil War Pestilence, Medicinal Herbs, and the Country Doctor
- Hearse House & Cemetery Caretakers’ Museum
- Cemetery Center–Victorian Era Mourning
- Station House–Cemetery and Local Railroad History
- Lynchburg’s African-American History in the Cemetery
- Lynchburg’s Founding Fathers and Mothers
- Life and Lore of Lynchburg’s Early Sporting Ladies
- Calamities and Catastrophes in Lynchburg’s History
HORTICULTURE Private Group Tours (call the Cemetery Center at 434-847-1465 to reserve place)
- Antique Roses–Over 425 Varieties Throughout the Cemetery (peak of bloom is mid-May)
- Old-Fashioned Shrub Garden and Its Architectural Relic Sculpture
- Butterfly Garden and Lotus Pond (peak of bloom is mid-June through August)
- Trees–Trees–Trees
- “I thought this one was a weed”
- Birds for Early Risers or Late Comers (peak of bird population is early June)
- Nature Walk Especially for Kids
PLEASE NOTE
- All private group tours are by appointment. Two weeks’ notice may be required. Please call to discuss your specific needs.
- The length of time varies for different tours, but allow 30-120 minutes, depending on the subject(s) and group size.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. Footing can be irregular.
- Children should be instructed before arrival about respectful behavior and proper etiquette in a cemetery.
- Dogs are allowed, but not encouraged. They must be on a leash at all times. We ask dog owners to request dogs to be respectful of their surroundings as well.
- There are handicapped-accessible restrooms in the Cemetery Center.
- In case of rain, shelter space is very limited. When tours cannot be rescheduled, your docent can board your bus and offer a “Hitting the High Spots” overview of the Cemetery as your driver slowly follows the roadway.
- Costs for guided group tours are as follows:
$8.00 per adult, $3.00 per child;
$50.00 minimum tour fee.
Group sizes may be limited.
Please contact the Cemetery Center to design a personalized, guided tour for you or your group.
Telephone: (434) 847-1465
Fax: (434) 856-2004
E-mail: occ@gravegarden.org
Mail: Old City Cemetery
401 Taylor Street
Lynchburg, VA 24501
