Mount Auburn Cemetery

Legends of the Revolution: Poetical Myth-Making in the 19th Century
2026-04-03 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Literary historian Rob Velella explores how 19th-century writers turned the American Revolution into an enduring national legend.

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and National Poetry Month, literary historian Rob Velella examines how 19th-century writers looked back on the Revolution and interpreted it for future generations. Through poetry, essays, and popular literature, these authors reshaped revolutionary figures and events into moral symbols and cultural myths that still influence how we understand the nation’s founding today.
The tour will highlight writers buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery and situates their work within a broader literary movement that used imagination and memory to construct a usable past.

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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Springtime Rewilding with Stefanie Haug
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:00
As spring approaches, come reconnect with your rewilding spirit. Through activities and conversation, join guest guide Stefanie Haug (LICSW) as you refresh your senses and reboot your appreciation for the natural world as we prepare for more time outdoors at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
This series will occur monthly, offering a variety of events centered around awareness and nature, featuring topics such as Forest Bathing, Sound Meditation, Nature Mindfulness, and more.
This month will be held inside the Bigelow Chapel glass wing, while future sessions will be held outdoors. The session will be part conversation and part meditation as ingredients to rewilding.
Check-in for this month’s event will be in Bigelow Chapel.
Accessibility: This program will take place indoors and has the option to be fully seated. The location is easily accessible, with ramp entry and nearby restrooms. If you have specific accessibility needs or questions, please contact us in advance so we can help make your visit comfortable.
Event capacity: 25 people
Thank you to Mem Tea, who kindly donated tea bags for this event!

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Discover Mount Auburn Introductory Walking Tour
2026-04-04 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-05-02 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-06-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Mount Auburn, designated a National Historic Landmark, is one of the country’s most significant designed landscapes. Here the arts of horticulture, architecture and sculpture combine with the beauty of nature to create a place of comfort and inspiration. This 1.5-mile walking tour will focus on stories of history, monuments, and the lives of those buried here. Registration required.
REGISTER HERE>>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Laurel Circle Concert Series: Rasa String Quartet
2026-04-09 17:30 - 20:00
The Rasa String Quartet is back! Join us for an evening filled with music, food, and good company inside the historic Bigelow Chapel.

This April, the Laurel Circle Concert Series will return with special performance Moira Smiley and Rasa String Quartet: Roots to Sky. Enjoy an evening filled with music, food, and good company inside the beautiful historic Bigelow Chapel.
Singer and composer Moira Smiley joins forces with the Rasa String Quartet in a program that explores the rich intersection of folk and classical traditions. Centered around Smiley’s Rhizome Project- where voice, banjo, piano, and strings intertwine through ancient and origional folk songs- the program also features works by Caroline Shaw, Tchaikovsky, and Sato Matsui. Together, these peices reflect on the hidden networks that connect and sustain us, much like the underground rhizomes that quietly nourish life from beneath the surface.
Formed in 2019, the Boston-based Rasa String Quartet consists of violinists Emma Powell and Maura Shawn Scanlin, violist Kiyoshi Hayashi, and cellist Mina Kim, who are graduates of the New England Conservatory, the Shepherd School of Music, and Yale University.
As with all Laurel Circle Lectures and Concerts, the program will begin with an hour-long reception beginning at 5:30, followed by an hour of performance.

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Spring Migrants
2026-04-16 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-04-23 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-04-28 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-04-30 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-05-05 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-05-07 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-05-12 06:45 - 08:15, 2026-05-14 06:45 - 08:15 and 2 more dates
They’re back in town!

Join us for a spring bird walk searching for both migrant and breeding birds. Bring your binoculars and field guide. All skill levels welcome.
Registration Required.
Tuesday Walks with Jason Barcus

April 28 | 6:45 AM
May 05 | 6:45 AM
May 12 | 6:45 AM
May 19 | 6:45 AM

Jason Barcus, Brookline Bird Club trip leader, wildlife photographer
Thursday Walks with Jeremiah Trimble:

April 16 | 6:45 AM
April 23 | 6:45 AM
April 30 | 6:45 AM
May 07 | 6:45 AM
May 14 | 6:45 AM
May 20 | 6:45 AM *Exception: Wednesday Date

Jeremiah Trimble, Curatorial Associate, Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by theMassachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Yoga for Renewal with Artemis Yoga
2026-04-16 17:30 - 18:30
Roll out your mat and rediscover your natural rhythm through intentional yoga poses guided by Artemis Yoga.

You are invited to move mindfully, breathe deeply and rediscover your natural rhythm through the grace of yoga in the tranquility of Mount Auburn. In this rejuvenating class with Artemis Yoga, you will experience both energetic and calming yoga postures while moving your body with breath as your guide. All levels are welcome and the class can be adapted based on participants. Students should be comfortable kneeling or lying down on the mat.
This series will occur monthly in April, May, and June, offering a variety of yogic styles each session.
April’s class will be held inside Story Chapel, while future sessions may be held outdoors.
Check-in for this month’s event will be in Story Chapel.
What to bring:

A yoga mat (available to rent for an additional $5)
Comfortable attire
Water bottle
An intention or reflection you’d like to hold for yourself

REGISTER HERE>>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

April Awakening with Stefanie Haug
2026-04-19 10:00 - 11:30
Join Stefanie Haug (LICSW), ecotherapist and nature and meditation guide for April Awakening, a mindful springtime nature walk designed to help you both slow down and “wake up.” Slowly walking together, participants will engage in pausing to notice budding leaves, shifting light, and the quiet hum of renewal. Along the way, you’ll be guided with simple meditative prompts to reconnect to your breath, your senses, and the subtle energy of new beginnings unfolding all around you. As the natural world stretches into bloom all around us, feel your spirit awaken alongside it.

Come as you are. Suitable for all ages and bodies and interests. Slow-paced walk around the cemetery with pauses and a chance to sit and observe. Bring water and something to sit on, if desired.
This series will occur monthly, offering a variety of events centered around awareness and nature, featuring topics such as Forest Bathing, Sound Meditation, Nature Mindfulness, and more.
This month’s session will be held outdoors, please dress accordingly with the weather.
Check-in for this month’s event will be outside Story Chapel.

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Early Risers: Horticulture Walk
2026-04-20 08:00 - 09:00, 2026-04-27 08:00 - 09:00, 2026-05-04 08:00 - 09:00, 2026-05-11 08:00 - 09:00, 2026-05-18 08:00 - 09:00, 2026-05-25 08:00 - 09:00
The early bird catches the worm!

Join our staff for any or all of these hour-long early morning excursions to discover what’s in bloom and any other items of horticultural interest. From early bulbs to magnificent flowering trees, we will try to catch them all.

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by theMassachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

The Undiscovered Country: Shakespeare & Mount Auburn Walking Tour
2026-04-26 13:00 - 14:30
“And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Many monuments at Mount Auburn are adorned with quotations from the great English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, and several theatre actors are among our distinguished residents.
Join Volunteer Docent Susan Zawalich to honor the 462nd birthday of The Bard of Avon (actual birthday is April 23) as we visit the gravesites of Edwin Booth, Charlotte Cushman and others, searching out some of the incised quotations, and reciting some of the memorable words of Shakespeare in our beautiful spring setting. “The readiness is all.”
Check-in outside of Story Chapel
Capacity: 40 people

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by theMassachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Laurel Circle Lecture Series: Dr. W. John Kress
2026-05-14 17:30 - 20:00
To Know Our Trees: A lecture by Dr. W. John Kress
Join us for the Laurel Circle Lecture Series: with Dr. W. John Kress, Smithsonian Distinguished Scientist and Curator Emeritus.
Dr. W. John Kress is Distinguished Scientist and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. He was Curator of Botany for over thirty years and formerly served as the Interim Under Secretary for Science at the Smithsonian and Director of Science in the Grand Challenges Consortia at the institution.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to experience the beauty of the spring canopy and explore the grounds in bloom.
5:30pm – 6:30pm: Reception and Book Signing
Enjoy a reception in the Bigelow Chapel Glass Wing, as well as the opportunity to get a copy of Smithsonian Trees of North America signed by Dr. Kress. Books must be purchased in advance through this Eventbrite page – available as an add-on.
6:30pm – 8:00pm: Keynote lecture and Q&A
Dr. Kress will deliver a keynote lecture followed by a Q&A with Vice President of Horticulture Ronnit Bendavid-Val.
Thank you to our sponsors!

Candace Young

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

What Monuments Remember — and What They Forget: A Juneteenth Walk
2026-06-18 18:00 - 19:30
What do monuments teach us about slavery, emancipation, and the long struggle for civil rights?

In honor of Juneteenth, join us at Mount Auburn Cemetery for a walking tour that explores how public memory is constructed in stone, landscape, and story.
Juneteenth, now a national holiday, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Texas to enforce the freedom promised by the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier—revealing the gap between the declaration of freedom and its lived reality.
This tour explores the lives and memorials of individuals connected to the long struggle for freedom and civil rights, including authors, abolitionists, activists, and political leaders. As we move through the cemetery landscape, we’ll also examine how monuments shape public memory—sometimes clarifying the past, and sometimes simplifying it.

REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by theMassachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Refund Policy:
Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.
If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.
*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.
