Mount Auburn Cemetery

This walk will begin at the Flagpole in the Southwest section of the Cemetery.  A staff member will be posted inside the main entrance to give directions to the flagpole. Join volunteer docent Helen Abrams on a walking tour, as she shares her ongoing research into the lives and contributions of Jewish residents of Mount Auburn - this time focusing on the stories of Jewish women such as Mildred Dresselhaus, the "Queen of Carbon", MIT professor and researcher; Svetlana Boym, teacher, author…

Adding new plants to the collections at Mount Auburn which flower in late spring or summer is not just about adding color to the landscape. This initiative is also a response to climate change and the general trend of plants flowering earlier and earlier each year. Join Dennis Collins, Horticultural Curator, on this walking tour to learn about this important horticultural initiative. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on…

Please join Mount Auburn’s Curator of Historical Collections Meg L. Winslow and Director of Cemetery Development Jim Holman for a special walking tour of contemporary commemorative art in the resplendent light of a late summer afternoon. This tour is recommended if you would like to learn more about the iconography, art, and design of Mount Auburn’s recent memorials. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by…

Please join Jeremiah Trimble, Curatorial Associate, Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, for a leisurely walk around Mount Auburn exploring habitats from pond edges to wildflower patches, in search of the various types of butterflies and dragonflies. 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 through your generous support. Funding…

The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and then carpool to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Limited Enrollment. Registration required. 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…

The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and then carpool to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Limited Enrollment. Registration required. 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…

The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and then carpool to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Limited Enrollment. Registration required. 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…

The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and then carpool to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Limited Enrollment. Registration required. 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…

Savor a hand-picked selection of wines provided by The Magnolia Wine Company of Watertown while enjoying the late-summer beauty of Mount Auburn in the early evening hours. The wine tasting will take place in the newly renovated, Asa Gray Garden. Pre-registration required. 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 through…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity.  Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Satigata, “mindful song” or “chant,” is an exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and the awakening of wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. Accompanied by guitar and drum, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Chris Berlin, Darren Becker, and Andrew Stauffer represent three generations of Master of Divinity graduates from Harvard Divinity School and are fully devoted to transmitting a contemplative spirit to others through their music. Meet in Story…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity.  Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity.  Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Tickets are on sale for The America Plays, the second of two series of site-specific plays created by the Cemetery’s first Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. Mount Auburn Cemetery was founded in 1831, during the post-Colonial era that would help define America’s identity. This series of 5 short plays, staged at sites across the landscape, will bring to life the drama, philosophies, and struggles shared by Mount Auburn founder Jacob Bigelow, by sculptors Edmonia Lewis and Martin Milmore, and by strong women like Harriot Kezia…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity.  Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity.  Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

The dead never seem to stay that way in the works of author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. Poe himself (portrayed by literary historian Rob Velella) returns from beyond the grave to read several of his works, both well-known and forgotten, with a special emphasis on stories that feature the dead returning to life. A question and answer session with the author will follow. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Photographs welcome (and encouraged). Edgar Allan Poe rises for this…

The Boston area was buried under glacial ice for thousands of years, and Mount Auburn’s unique landscape preserves wonderful remnants of this icy past. Our walk led by docent and historian Robin Hazard Ray will explore dramatic glacial landforms—kames, kettle ponds, and an esker—that have been lost to development and mining elsewhere in our area. 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…

Join us for a mostly silent sunset meditation at the Tower.  The magic hour is that dazzling collection of moments when the sun is near the horizon just before and after sunset. The moments of The Magic Hour at Washington Tower will be spent mostly in silence (or in hushed tones with friends) as we contemplate the light and cultivate a state of equanimity. Space is limited.  Pre-registration recommended.  Free.   Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with…

Mount Auburn Cemetery is a treasure, rich in history and beauty. Those buried here have remarkable stories to tell. They have changed and influenced our society through decades and centuries. Please join volunteer docent Nancy Callan to explore those in science, politics, law, advocacy and the arts who have influenced their time and ours. We all have a story. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining…

Satigata, or "progressing into mindfulness," is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Meet in Story Chapel.…

Mount Auburn is known for its impressive horticultural collection of trees, shrubs and groundcover plantings, but the Cemetery is also host to an abundance of interesting fungi. Join Ron Trial to learn the process/method of collecting mushrooms for identification and then go on a field walk.  Please bring a small collecting basket, and a  pocket knife.  Ron Trial is the former president of the Boston Mycological Club. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all…

2019 marks the 400th year of the institution of slavery in English America.  This walk led by docent, Rosemarie Smurzynski, will explore Mount Auburn’s African American Heritage Trail. We will visit those who resisted this institution, both black and white folk, and brought about equality, justice and agency for African Americans.  Among those we will visit are Ruffin family members, Maria White Lowell and Harriet Jacobs family members. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our…

Not all of Mount's Auburn's "notables" are residents. King Edward VII of England, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emily Dickinson, John Wilkes Booth, Herman Melville, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and John Denver all visited Mount Auburn as tourists, travelers, or mourners. Join Susan Zawalich on a walk to discuss some of these notable visits.  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…

Due to weather this event has been postponed to Saturday 11/2 at 1:00pm. If you hold tickets for this event you can choose to join us on Saturday November 2nd or Sunday November 3rd for an Awash in Color tour. If neither of these dates work for you, you can request a refund through Eventbrite. Experience the beauty of autumn at Mount Auburn during this fall walking tour led by Visitors Services Assistant, Jim Gorman. We will visit some of…

Autumn is here but don’t fear, growing season far from over! Cultivating your own Oyster Mushrooms might be easier than  you think! Join us at our Greenhouse for an Oyster Mushroom growing workshop, where Kristin Follett will briefly discuss growing methods and various uses of mushrooms before everyone sets up their own Oyster Mushroom culture to take home! Materials and a handout will be provided.  Kristin Follett is the Assistant Greenhouse & Nursery Manager of Mount Auburn Cemetery Experience a…

Experience the beauty of autumn at Mount Auburn during this fall walking tour led by Visitors Services Assistant, Jim Gorman. We will visit some of the more colorful trees in our landscape in addition to looking for plant and shrubs putting out their fall fruits and nuts. Free for members, $12 for non-members 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.…

Satigata, or "progressing into mindfulness," is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Meet in Story Chapel.…

Over the past six years, Mount Auburn has preserved more than forty monuments honoring veterans. Join Jenny Gilbert (Director of Institutional Advancement) and Greg Ghazil (Preservation Supervisor) on a walking tour that pays tribute to the soldiers, sailors, military doctors, nurses, and musicians who have served our country. Along with telling the stories of each individual memorialized, these monuments are an important funerary art form with their evocative combination of carved words and imagery. Learn how conservation stabilizes the stones,…

Get your hands in the soil alongside our gardening staff during our annual fall bulb planting. Bulbs planted in the Cemetery each fall add blooms to Mount Auburn’s early spring season. Bring your work gloves, trowel and lots of energy and enthusiasm. Dress for garden work. 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…

Due to the forecasted snowstorm, Dec 1 Satigata is CANCELED. See you in January. Satigata, or “progressing into mindfulness,” is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata…

In this perennial tour in Mount Auburn’s January landscape we join docent, Rosemarie Smurzynski, spotting angels in the cemetery and exploring the meaning of angel art for monuments which was  especially treasured by the Victorians.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 through your generous support.Funding for programs has been provided in…

Satigata, or "progressing into mindfulness," is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Meet in Story Chapel.…

Winter is an ideal time to get familiar with the year-round resident birds of Mount Auburn. If you are a beginner birder this walk with Visitors Services Assistant & Security Guard Al Parker will help you to learn the common birds of this area without the distractions of the migrating birds or the foliage on the trees. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. Pre-registration required.Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on…

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Volunteer Docent Stephen Pinkerton will examine the lives and times of African-Americans buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery, who were born into slavery and fled to the North to forge new lives as free citizens. Notables include political/social activists Harriet, John and Louisa Jacobs; elder caregiver Mary Walker; and professional tailor Peter Byus.  Weather permitting, the presentation in Story Chapel will be followed by a short walking tour.Experience a deeper connection to…

Satigata, or "progressing into mindfulness," is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Meet in Story Chapel.…

Due to a scheduling conflict this event has been canceled.  Winter is an ideal time to get familiar with the year-round resident birds of Mount Auburn. If you are a beginner birder this walk with Visitors Services Assistant & Security Guard Al Parker will help you to learn the common birds of this area without the distractions of the migrating birds or the foliage on the trees. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. Pre-registration required. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Join us for this annual program in Story Chapel, co-sponsored by the Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site. Following a talk about Longfellow’s lasting legacy, we’ll enjoy birthday cake and then walk to the Longfellow Lot on Indian Ridge Path for a wreath-laying ceremony.  This year's speaker is Dr. Adriana Greci Green, Curator of Indigenous Arts of the Americas. Green researched at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters NHS in the past, focusing on Longfellow’s "The Song of Hiawatha."Her talk, titled,…

Satigata, or "progressing into mindfulness," is a musical exploration into opening the heart to transformation, devotion and  wisdom through Buddhist and yogic songs and chanting. With its roots in the Buddhist community at Harvard Divinity School, Satigata is a unique combination of modern folk-rock, hand drums, flute, Tibetan singing bowls and bells, and both traditional Buddhist mantra and original chanting compositions. Led by two Master of Divinity graduates in Buddhist ministry from Harvard Divinity School, Chris Berlin and Darren Becker, Satigata is inspiring spiritual music with energy, tenderness and a progressive sound. Meet in Story Chapel.…

Winter is an ideal time to get familiar with the year-round resident birds of Mount Auburn. If you are a beginner birder this walk with Visitors Services Assistant & Security Guard Al Parker will help you to learn the common birds of this area without the distractions of the migrating birds or the foliage on the trees. Dress warmly and bring your binoculars. Pre-registration required. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts…

Mount Auburn is the permanent home of many poets, politicians, and philanthropists. But buried among them are also murder victims – and even a few murderers. Join Volunteer Docents Robin Hazard Ray and Stephen Pinkerton on a walk to meet the victims and perpetrators in our midst. 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…

Join Mount Auburn President Dave Barnett as the snow-covered ground gives way to the earliest spring flowers and buds.  We will observe the early signs of spring’s arrival and learn how to identify some of the most interesting trees and shrubs at Mount Auburn by their buds, twig, and bark characteristics.  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…

Mount Auburn Cemetery itself is an internationally recognized model of landscape art in America. In addition, the Cemetery is the final resting place of many artists – painters, musicians, writers, actors, and sculptors -- who have enriched our culture and our nation with their contributions. Join Volunteer Docents Helen Abrams and Susan Zawalich on a walking tour where we will visit some of the beautiful works of art at Mount Auburn and honor some of the artists who are interred here. Experience a deeper…

Mount Auburn Staff and Docents will share the stories of the women who they most admire on this walking tour celebrating Women’s History Month.  The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The 2020 Women’s History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.”  The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others."  For more on Women’s History Month…

This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  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. 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…

This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In a desire to soften the message of death and to beautify the cemetery, mourners turned to fine art sculpture and engaged notable sculptors to help them understand the mystery of death.  Join Volunteer Docent, Rosemarie Smurzynski, in this spring walk to visit Mount Auburn’s fine art memorials.  Hear stories of those remembered by this art, loved ones who commissioned the monuments, and the artists who created them. Experience a deeper connection…

This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Springtime at Mount Auburn is one of our regions’ truly ineffable experiences. With a cornucopia of flowers enhancing our designed landscape, there is seemingly no view that fails to interest us. Join Visitor Services Assistant Jim Gorman for a walk of selected horticultural highlights. 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…

This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  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. 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…

This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “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 456th 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…

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. 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 through your generous support.…

Springtime at Mount Auburn is one of our regions’ truly ineffable experiences. With a cornucopia of flowers enhancing our designed landscape, there is seemingly no view that fails to interest us. Join Visitor Services Assistant Jim Gorman for a walk of selected horticultural highlights. 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 through…

Join us for this Mother’s Day stroll with Volunteer Docent Nancy Callan to explore the symbols of motherhood found on monuments while visiting the graves of some notable mothers now buried here.  We will include a visit to the grave of Julia Ward Howe, founder of Mother’s Day for Peace. 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…

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. 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 through your generous support.…

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. 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 through your generous support.…

This event has been canceled due to COVID-19 Come explore the Victorian Era at Mount Auburn through its beautiful monuments, their symbolism and the story of those buried here.  Volunteer Docent Nancy Callan will lead a tour of some of the most significant monuments of the Cemetery. 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…

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. 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 through your generous support.…

On June 19th, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, jubilant enslaved men and women rejoiced in the streets on hearing the official declaration of their emancipation, among the last to be freed in the reunited United States.  The following year, Galveston’s citizens of color organized the first of what has since become the annual celebration of “Juneteenth.”  Please join us for a 155th Juneteenth anniversary visit to the graves of members of Boston’s African American community who celebrated the abolition of slavery in their own…

There’s more to bees than honeybees! Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. In this leisurely walk, we’ll go on a Bee Safari. You’ll see what they look like and where they live. You’ll also see other pollinators and beneficial insects. Rain Date: June 26th, 4pm. Meet in front of Story Chapel.  Presented by Pam Phillips, head of Friends of Bees, a working group in Watertown Citizens For Peace, Justice, and the Environment. Experience…

Salacious secrets, Victorian melodrama, baseless rumors? Join Events and Outreach Coordinator, Corinne Elicone on a walking tour that will explore the inner social circles of 19th century Boston, and all the juicy gossip that surrounded them. 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 through your generous support.   Funding for programs…

Join independent literary historian Rob Velella on this walking tour celebrating two of the most popular women writers of the 19th century: Fanny Osgood and Fanny Fern. One was a popular sentimental poet; the other was a groundbreaking writer of prose. Both incited scandal throughout their lives, and each used their writings to present a unique picture of 19th-century domesticity. Their lives, their associations, and their works will be highlighted. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Learn about Victorian Funerary Art! This tour has been changed to a virtual tour due to COVID-19Beginning in the mid-19th century, Victorian symbolism and ornamentation adorned many monuments at Mount Auburn. Rosebuds, lambs, grieving women, and angels were accompanied by sentimental inscriptions in marble. Join Meg L. Winslow, Curator of Historical Collections, for this special online event to learn about the symbols and hidden meanings of Mount Auburn’s Victorian Funerary Art.Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free…

Adding new plants to the collections at Mount Auburn which flower in late spring or summer is not just about adding color to the landscape. This initiative is also a response to climate change and the general trend of plants flowering earlier and earlier each year. Join Dennis Collins, Horticultural Curator, on this walking tour to learn about this important horticultural initiative. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on…

Savor a hand-picked selection of wines provided by The Magnolia Wine Company of Watertown while enjoying the late-summer beauty of Mount Auburn in the early evening hours. The wine tasting will take place in the newly renovated, Asa Gray Garden. Pre-registration required.   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…

The road to woman’s suffrage was long and complicated. It was influenced by race, class and gender.  Early voices like Judith Sargent Murray, wife of Rev. John Murray buried at Mount Auburn, inspired men and women to work for justice and equality.  Join Volunteer Docent Rosemarie Smurzynski, in an August walk to commemorate 100 years of woman’s suffrage and to hear stories of courage and commitment of those caught up in its narrative. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with…

Become a member of the Friends of Mount Auburn to get access to these and other special perks during Members Week 2020, September 6-12! Learn more at mountauburn.org/give/membership/ or call the membership office at 617-607-1982. Did you know that in addition to our acclaimed gardens and landscapes, Mount Auburn keeps active beehives? Join Jerry Mendenhall for a special behind-the-scenes look at one of Mount Auburn’s lesser-known but environmentally crucial activities. As we walk to the apiary, you’ll learn about Mount…

Become a member of the Friends of Mount Auburn to get access to these and other special perks during Members Week 2020, September 6-12! Learn more at mountauburn.org/give/membership/ or call the membership office at 617-607-1982. Mount Auburn’s Vice President of Horticulture & Landscape, Eleanor Gould, joined us in September 2019. Join her for a  walking tour of the Cemetery as she shares some of her impressions and surprising connections after her first year of leadership here, and get an inside look…

Mount Auburn itself is an internationally recognized model of landscape art in America.  In addition, the Cemetery is the final resting place of many artists – painters, musicians, writers, actors, and sculptors – who have enriched our culture and our nation with their contributions.  Join Volunteer Docents Helen Abrams and Susan Zawalich on a walking tour where we will visit some of the newest contemporary additions to this landscape and honor some of the modern artists who are interred here.…

The great art collections of Boston—the Boston Athenaeum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Harvard Art Museums, among others—were created by vivid personalities, often in head-to-head competition with one another. Meet the friends who were also rivals in the accumulation of artistic treasures that enrich our lives today on this walking tour with Volunteer Docent Robin Hazard Ray. Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs…

Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. In this leisurely walk, we'´ll go on a Bee Safari. There’s more to bees than honeybees! Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. In this leisurely walk, we’ll go on a Bee Safari for Pollinator Week. You’ll see what they look like and where they live. You’ll also see other pollinators and beneficial insects. Meet in front of Story Chapel. Presented…

Explore Mount Auburn's gardens and wildlife in the late summer!Please join Jeremiah Trimble, Curatorial Associate, Ornithology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, for a leisurely walk around Mount Auburn exploring habitats from pond edges to wildflower patches, in search of the various types of butterflies and dragonflies. Registration required.To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact friends@mountauburn.org or 617-607-1980.Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on…

See these wonderful migratory birds before they are gone again for another year!The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and caravan to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Registration required. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact friends@mountauburn.org or 617-607-1980.Experience a deeper…

See these wonderful migratory birds before they are gone again for another year!The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and caravan to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Registration required. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact friends@mountauburn.org or 617-607-1980.Experience a deeper…

See these wonderful migratory birds before they are gone again for another year!The fall migration of the Common Nighthawk is a predictable and visible phenomenon. Over the years Bob Stymeist has observed hundreds of nighthawks from the Tower and now you can, too. We’ll meet at Asa Gray Garden (Lawn Avenue Circle) and caravan to Washington Tower. Bring Binoculars and a flashlight. Registration required. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact friends@mountauburn.org or 617-607-1980.Experience a deeper…

Blooms in your garden can last all season!Adding new plants to the collections at Mount Auburn which flower in late summer is not just about adding color to the landscape. This initiative is also a response to climate change and the general trend of plants flowering earlier and earlier each year. Join Horticultural Curator Dennis Collins on this walking tour to learn about this important horticultural initiative. Registration required.To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact friends@mountauburn.org…

Join us for an introductory walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery, America's first garden cemetery.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. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility,…

Want to learn the basics of keeping your very own nature journal? Join us on a walk with author, Clare Walker Leslie!Join us for a book launch for Clare Walker Leslie's two most recent books –Keeping a Nature Journal 3rd edition (2021) and A Year in Nature (2020) including special drawing journal pages from her years of exploring Mount Auburn Cemetery. Enjoy a nature discovery walk led by Clare and a nature contest to win a free book. Books will…

Join us for an evening of theater under the moonlightJoin us for a site-specific outdoor concert reading of a one-act play by playwright Patrick Gabridge designed to be performed at the Cemetery under the light of the full moon. Moonlight Abolitionists is a swirling conversation between six abolitionists buried at Mount Auburn: Samuel Gridley Howe, Harriet Jacobs, Joshua Bowen Smith, George and Mary Stearns, and Charles Turner Torrey. This fascinating mix of men and women, some well-known and others far…

Join us for an evening of theater under the moonlightJoin us for a site-specific outdoor concert reading of a one-act play by playwright Patrick Gabridge designed to be performed at the Cemetery under the light of the full moon. Moonlight Abolitionists is a swirling conversation between six abolitionists buried at Mount Auburn: Samuel Gridley Howe, Harriet Jacobs, Joshua Bowen Smith, George and Mary Stearns, and Charles Turner Torrey. This fascinating mix of men and women, some well-known and others far…

Join us for an evening of theater under the moonlightJoin us for a site-specific outdoor concert reading of a one-act play by playwright Patrick Gabridge designed to be performed at the Cemetery under the light of the full moon. Moonlight Abolitionists is a swirling conversation between six abolitionists buried at Mount Auburn: Samuel Gridley Howe, Harriet Jacobs, Joshua Bowen Smith, George and Mary Stearns, and Charles Turner Torrey. This fascinating mix of men and women, some well-known and others far…

Painter and animator Zhonghe (Elena) Li is one of five local artists who received an artist-in-residence grant from the Friends of Mount Auburn in 2021 to produce new works about the Cemetery. Join Elena for a talk about her process, the inspiration she finds at Mount Auburn, and her in-progress project, The Art of Living Together. This is a virtual program hosted via Zoom exclusively for Friends of Mount Auburn members.  Contact Peter Schlaht, Annual Giving Manager, at pschlaht@mountauburn.org with questions…

Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. In this leisurely walk, we'´ll go on a Bee Safari.Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. In this leisurely walk, we’´ll go on a Bee Safari.There’s more to bees than honeybees! Our native bees in Massachusetts come in a variety of sizes and colors. You’ll see what they look like and where they live. You’ll also see other pollinators and beneficial…

Join us for an introductory walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery, America's first garden cemetery.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. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility,…