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150TH ANNIVERSARY of CHANCELLORSVILLE:
ROBERT E. LEE’S GREATEST TRIUMPH
150 years ago, from April 30 to May 6, 1863, the Union’s Army of the Potomac clashed with the Confederacy's Army of Northern Virginia near Chancellorsville, Virginia. Though Confederate forces were less than half the size of the Union army engaged in the bloody conflict, General Robert E. Lee achieved what is still considered his “perfect battle” and greatest military triumph. This walking tour will honor the Union veterans buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery who fought and died at Chancellorsville. We will not only learn their stories, but also examine how the battle itself set the stage for what was to come two months later in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The tour will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 1:00pm, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $12/person; $10/students and seniors; $9/members. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Russ Dodge
SOUTH of the BRIDGE:
EXPLORATIONS of the CEMETERY’S
SOUTHERNMOST SOD on CINCO de MAYO
Historic Laurel Hill Cemetery boasts 175 years of history. Much of that history is tangible: 78 acres of rolling landscape; 75,000 interments; an estimated 33,000 gravestones and monuments; and approximately 11,000 family lots! Such an abundance of features and spaces are difficult to cover in a single tour or program. As a result, Laurel Hill’s most remote, southern portions – and the many notable stories, intricate stones and beautifully peaceful surroundings that comprise it – often go unexplored by the traditional visitor. In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, tour-takers will have the opportunity to head south of the Cemetery’s figurative border to explore the many hidden gems and little-known secrets of South Laurel Hill.
The tour will take place on Sunday, May 5 at 1:00pm, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $12/person; $10/students and seniors; $9/members. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Jerry McCormick
OF BLESSED MEMORY:
JEWISH NOTABLES of LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
When Laurel Hill Cemetery was founded in 1836, its early popularity was, in part, tied to its support of democratic ideals: admission was free; personal expression was encouraged and, most importantly, religious affiliation did not matter. Men and women of all faiths, or perhaps none at all, would choose to make Laurel Hill their final place of rest. This walking tour of the cemetery will specifically highlight the lives and careers of many of the Jewish notables who impacted the history of Philadelphia. Discover their stories and explore their nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century contributions to the city. The program will be followed by a light reception with wine and appetizers, and will mark Jewish American Heritage Month. By congressional resolution, May is the national month of recognition of the 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the achievements of American Jews in fields ranging from sports, arts and entertainment to medicine, business, science, government and military service.
The program will take place on Wednesday, May 15 at 6:00pm, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $20/person; $18/students and seniors; $17/members. Reservations are suggested. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Carol R. Yaster
LUNAR STROLL:
PHOTOGRAPHING LAUREL HILL AFTER HOURS
Photo enthusiasts: grab your cameras, tripods and flashlights, and capture the ethereal wonders of Laurel Hill Cemetery after the sun goes down. During this guided stroll through the site’s picturesque landscape, participants will visit some of its most photogenic spots and evocative statuary, while learning to paint with light using only a flashlight and ambient iridescence. You will be over the moon with excitement once you see your unique images! You will also have experiences to share from this rare and intimate exploration of the cemetery long after its gates close for the night. Photography experience is recommended, but not required. Lunar Strolls will occur on the third Friday of every month from May through August.
May’s lunar stroll will take place on Friday, May 17 at 8:00pm, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $15/person general admission. Advance reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Emma Stern
VOLUNTEER FLAG PLACEMENT
The General Meade Society of Philadelphia, in conjunction with the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery, call all Volunteers to assist in preparing for the nation’s Memorial Day commemoration. Those assembled will be assigned to place American flags on the gravesites of Veterans that served in all of our nation’s Wars. As time and manpower permit, and in addition to Laurel Hill, cemeteries covered may include Mount Moriah, Mount Peace and St. James the Less. Free refreshments will be provided to all.
The flag placement will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 10:00am, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
ALWAYS on TAP:
A HISTORY of PHILADELPHIA’S WATER SYSTEM
Just as the Schuylkill River flows past Laurel Hill, the history of the Philadelphia water system also runs deep in the story of the cemetery. This walking tour of the site will pay homage to its permanent residents who invented the means by which the city receives its water today, and will cover even those early methods that weren’t so successful. We will also explore how Philadelphia's growth hurt the water supply, and the colorful fights behind the making of a truly modern water system.
The tour will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 1:00pm, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $12/person; $10/students and seniors; $9/members. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Michael Lewandowski, P.E.
MONTHLY FOURTH FRIDAY TOUR SERIES:
HOT SPOTS and STORIED PLOTS
Join Laurel Hill Cemetery for this informative overview of Laurel Hill’s long and colorful history, which will include many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views and legendary stories that afford the cemetery its WOW factor. This is the perfect tour for first-time visitors to Laurel Hill, and anyone else who enjoys beautiful art, scenic nature and fascinating history. BRAND NEW “Hot Spots and Storied Plots” will be presented monthly as part of Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Fourth Friday tour series, which take place on the fourth Friday of every month at 10:00am.
May's walking tour will take place on Friday, May 24th at 10:00am, departing from Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Gatehouse entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
The cost is $8/person general admission; $5/members. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance by phone (215) 228-8200 or online.
Guide: Terri Greenberg
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, SERVICE and RECEPTION
The traditional Decoration Day service of the Grand Army Meade Post #1 will be recreated at historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, the site of the first Memorial Day Observance in Philadelphia in 1868. The entourage will gather at the resting place of General George Gordon Meade, hero of the Battle of Gettysburg, to perform the traditional service honoring all veterans who fell defending the nation. A wreath-laying, speeches and honor guards will enhance the ceremony The event is co-sponsored by the General Meade Society of Philadelphia, the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery, American Legion Post #405, Post #1 Society, Union League, and Anna M. Ross Camp #1, Sons of Union Veterans. Complimentary beer and refreshments will be served after the service.
The event will take place on Sunday, May 26 at 12:00pm sharp. Visitors can enter through Laurel Hill’s Gatehouse at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free parking is located in the lot across the street from the Gatehouse.
Admission to the event is FREE and open to the public. For additional information, phone (215) 228-8200.
Master of Ceremonies: Andy Waskie, Ph.D.