DIRECTIONS
The entrance to Old City Cemetery is located at the corner of Fourth and Taylor Streets in downtown Lynchburg. For GPS directions, use “401 Taylor Street, Lynchburg, Virginia, 24501.” If you get lost, please call the Cemetery Center at (434) 847–1465.
Cemetery Hours
The Cemetery grounds are open to the public every day of the year, dawn to dusk, free of charge. Unless ice, snow, or other weather-related conditions make the driveway impassable, the Cemetery gates are always open between dawn and dusk. It is always wise to call in advance to ensure hours of operation. Please note that leaving personal items (artificial flowers, etc) on graves and the Scatter Gardens is discouraged. Cut flower arrangements may be ordered at the Cemetery Center.
Office Hours
The Cemetery Center is open and staff members are available Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday 12:00pm -4:00 pm, except for major holidays. It is always wise to call in advance of your visit, especially during peak visitation season (April through November), as staff may be on the grounds with groups or special events.
Museum Hours
The Victorian Mourning Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
The Pest House, Hearse House, Station House, and Chapel are open all day for self-guided exterior tours, using brochures and audio recordings. These buildings are occasionally opened during tours and special events, and can be opened by appointment.
Guided Tours & Field Trips
Guided tours are available by appointment and special request. The fee for non-school related tours is $10 per person, with a $100 minimum. We offer a general grounds tour, tours of our various buildings, Civil War history tours, African American history tours, horticulture tours, and special interest tours.
For more information, or to request a guided tour, call our Cemetery Center at 434-847-1465 or occ@gravegarden.org.
We offer educational field trips for K-12, and college students. Our programs are developed with current standards of learning in mind, and we make every effort to provide engaging, hands-on experiences for our visiting students. Our programs include, but are not limited to, Civil War history, Lynchburg History, African American History (Lynchburg, Civil War, Emancipation), Horticulture (pollinators, compost education, the importance of trees, etc), Medicine in the Victorian Era, Victorian Mourning & Burial Customs, Early Leaders of Lynchburg, etc. If you are looking for something that is not listed here, please call as we may have a program that fits your interests and educational goals.
In most cases, we offer our educational field trips for students K-12 completely free of charge. Please call us at 434.847.1465 to schedule your class or school trip!
Self-Guided Tours
The Cemetery offers so many diverse tours options! History and Horticulture abound! Click here to download a Scavenger Hunt for children.
Volunteer!
We LOVE volunteers at Old City Cemetery, and are always welcoming more! If you have an interest in horticulture, gardening, history, research, or service projects, we invite you to come by our office, or give us a call! We have opportunities for everyone. Specifically, we are always looking for museum docents and landscape helpers! We’re also always interested in hearing from service organizations like the Scouts, youth groups, and volunteer groups who are looking to put in some hours at OCC.
EXTEND YOUR VISIT!
After visiting Old City Cemetery, consider a walk just up the road to the Legacy Museum of African American History. Then how about a drive through the Diamond Hill Historic District? And then meander over to the Lynchburg Museum and Point of Honor. Just a short drive away is the Pierce Street Historic District and the Anne Spencer House and Garden Museum. Then on to Downtown Lynchburg for lunch or dinner and a walk along the historic streets and James River. Stay a night or two, or three at the historic Virginian Hotel. There is so much to see and do!
