During summer months, a great way to appreciate the grounds is to stroll the Cemetery and Arboretum on a two hour walk in the cooling hours before sunset.  Tours will cover about 2 miles of moderate terrain. This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will highlight the cemetery grounds, horticulture, and a variety of intriguing historic figures for whom Bellefontaine is their last address. Space is limited and reservations are required. We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Please wear appropriate walking attire.   Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

You are invited to attend a talk and slide presentation by speaker/Bellefontaine Volunteer Paula Zalar. This presentation traces the evolution of American death and mourning customs from Colonial times through the current day including the lasting and dramatic changes caused by America's Civil War. This is an adult conversation and may by upsetting to younger attendees.  Parental discretion is encouraged.   Save

During summer months, a great way to appreciate the grounds is to stroll the Cemetery and Arboretum on a two hour walk in the cooling hours before sunset.  Tours will cover about 2 miles of moderate terrain. This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will highlight the cemetery grounds, horticulture, and a variety of intriguing historic figures for whom Bellefontaine is their last address. Space is limited and reservations are required. We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Please wear appropriate walking attire.   Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

Cathleen - “Wildwood Valley is the first destination on our walking tour. We will observe beautiful plantings and enjoy a babbling brook. Along the way, we will visit the graves of a madam, a beat generation author, the original owner of the Browns and many more folks that shaped our city. Attention will be paid to architecture and the meanings of memorial art. The route goes through some of the most beautiful parts of the cemetery and Arboretum on a two-hour walk.”   Tours will cover about 2 miles across moderate terrain.  Please wear appropriate walking attire.  Slots are limited and reservations are required.  We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Tours are free, however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted.   Save Save Save Save Save

Enjoy a two hour bus tour traveling through historic Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum.  This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will convey highlights of the cemetery grounds, horticulture and share stories from some of the intriguing historic figures buried at Bellefontaine.  Seating is limited and reservations are required.  We ask that everyone arrive between 9:30 am and 9:45 am for a prompt 10:00 am departure.  The buses are climate controlled but weather appropriate clothing is suggested as opportunities to disembark from the vehicle are available.  Theses tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. This is a rain or shine event (except for extreme lightening). Save

                    Carol has researched a unique set of stories to share with you as you stroll from the Willow Gate House on a one hour walk across moderate terrain.  This tour is a wonderful sampling of the history found throughout the cemetery and will give much insight into the rich the diversity Bellefontaine Cemetery has to offer. Save Save Save Save

During summer months, a great way to appreciate the grounds is to stroll the Cemetery and Arboretum on a two hour walk in the cooling hours before sunset.  Tours will cover about 2 miles of moderate terrain. This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will highlight the cemetery grounds, horticulture, and a variety of intriguing historic figures for whom Bellefontaine is their last address. Space is limited and reservations are required. We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Please wear appropriate walking attire.   Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

Brown Mausoleum In this one hour walking tour across moderate terrain, volunteer guide Tim will showcase various styles of mausoleum architecture.  This tour introduces attendees to the period styles and influences seen in Bellefontaine's famous mausoleums and provides brief biographies of the families who built them.   Save Save Save Save

Please note that this is not a tour or history event. Bellefontaine's Wildwood Valley Gardens will be beautifully lit for an evening of reflection and remembrance. We invite our cemetery families and their friends to join us between 7pm and 9pm to write a memory and light a luminary in acknowledgement of loved ones here at Bellefontaine. RSVPs are appreciated but not required at (314) 381-0750. Please enter the cemetery through the main gate. Inaugural Memorial Lantern Glow, Sept. 20, 2015. Inaugural Memorial Lantern Glow, Sept. 20, 2015. Photo Credit: Michele Thomas Inaugural Memorial Lantern Glow, Sept. 20, 2015. Save Save Save Save

During summer months, a great way to appreciate the grounds is to stroll the Cemetery and Arboretum on a two hour walk in the cooling hours before sunset.  Tours will cover about 2 miles of moderate terrain. This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will highlight the cemetery grounds, horticulture, and a variety of intriguing historic figures for whom Bellefontaine is their last address. Space is limited and reservations are required. We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Please wear appropriate walking attire.   Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

Enjoy beer, wine, and light hors d'oeuvres as you walk near historic Hotchkiss Chapel on the east side of the cemetery. Hear tales of famous and infamous St. Louisans from our Guides and Master Guides. Complimentary parking is available. Enter through the main gates on West Florissant and follow the signs to the event. Check in at the registration table and then enjoy your evening! Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes as this is a rain or shine event. Save

Bellefontaine Cemetery, the other sculpture garden You've heard the history of the famous, or infamous, folks.  Now hear about the art and architecture within the cemetery's walls.  This tour will introduce you to the stories of the stones themselves. With a focus on sculpture, you will be led on a 2-hour walking tour past beautiful statuary, artists  laid to rest at Bellefontaine, and even into some wonderful examples of architecture. Space is limited and reservations are required. Tours will cover about 2 miles across moderate terrain.  Appropriate attire suggested for this walk which will sometimes take you off the paved paths.  We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted.

Spend the morning with your kids exploring nature and learning some St. Louis history.  Guide Angela, of Green Spiral Tours, will offer bite size pieces of information on what's below ground at this hallowed place while allowing young ones the chance to take in and wonders of what's above! The cemetery is an Arboretum with over 6,500 trees, butterfly gardens, and water features with playful stepping stones amidst native plantings. Bring a sack lunch to picnic together like families of the Victorian era. This tour is a mixture of driving and walking across some moderate terrain.  Please wear appropriate walking attire. We ask everyone to arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure.  Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

Gateway Harness Club will make it's third return to Bellefontaine Cemetery to drive the grounds.  Horse and carriages will be dressed in appropriate era attire while driving part of the 14 miles of roadway located at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Wild Wood Valley will be set aside for visitors to watch as the carriages ride by in their splendor.  Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and maybe even a picnic lunch, much as was done in the 1800's. This event is a wonderful photographic opportunity, so bring the camera. Horse and carriages will arrive beginning at 8:00 AM, with a planned ride time at 10:00 AM.  Continues riding will take place until noon, when the groups break for lunch and cool down. Save

Brown Mausoleum In this one hour walking tour across moderate terrain, volunteer guide Tim will showcase various styles of mausoleum architecture.  This tour introduces attendees to the period styles and influences seen in Bellefontaine's famous mausoleums and provides brief biographies of the families who built them.   Save Save Save Save Save

During summer months, a great way to appreciate the grounds is to stroll the Cemetery and Arboretum on a two hour walk in the cooling hours before sunset.  Tours will cover about 2 miles of moderate terrain. This tour will be led by one of the cemetery’s Master Guides who will highlight the cemetery grounds, horticulture, and a variety of intriguing historic figures for whom Bellefontaine is their last address. Space is limited and reservations are required. We ask that everyone arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure. Please wear appropriate walking attire.   Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save Save

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS FULL AND WE ARE NO LONGER TAKING RESERVATIONS. Consolations of Memory: Death and Mourning in the Nineteenth Century Saturday, October 1, 2016 This event is a guided cemetery walk of the area surrounding Hotchkiss Chapel as well as the Chapel itself.  Along the way guests will learn not only about mourning customs of the 19th century but also illness, medical treatments, funerary and burial practices, post-mortem photography and more. 2016 Special Exhibits The Funeral Service: Guests are invited to experience a 19th Century funeral service in the Chapel followed by a procession down the old carriage path where Mr. Avery will conduct the Burial Service. Services will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Our Little Angel in Heaven: Learn about 19th Century child mortality, common childhood diseases of the era, how children were mourned and see a collection of mementos, photographs and more. Other Event Details This is a free event but registration is required. Complimentary parking and public restrooms will be available. Enter at the main gate of the cemetery and you will be directed to the parking area. This is a rain or shine event (except for excessive lightening.) About the Mourning Society of St Louis We are a civilian re-enacting group with a focus on mid-nineteenth century mourning, death culture, funeral customs and Victorian spiritualism but we often branch out into other eras and topics from St Louis history such as the ladies of the 1916 Golden Lane Protest, the 1904 World’s Fair and World War I. The Mourning Society has participated in events at Bellefontaine Cemetery and The Missouri History Museum. Save Save