Events

Fresh Finds with BCA's Cemetery Chronicler – Walking Tour Every week, a new piece of history is discovered—or rediscovered—at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This unique tour begins at the Willow Gate House, where we will review and discuss the specific document or record that sparked our latest finding. Following this brief historical overview, attendees will drive their own vehicles to the discovery site (using our "EPW" method: escort, park, and walk). Once gathered, we will begin a 90-minute walking tour. The remainder of the experience explores the people, symbolism, and architectural highlights encountered along the route, offering additional insights into the Cemetery's design. Participants will walk approximately 1.5 miles of moderate terrain across the grounds of the oldest Garden/Rural Cemetery west of the Mississippi. Tour Details: Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

SIPS, SOULS, & STROLLS 2026Second Event of the Year: 1880-90 DecadesFriday, June 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Join us for our third Sips, Souls, and Strolls of the year and we explore some of the history with those memorialized at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum from the 1880-90 decades. Enjoy beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres as you stroll through the beautiful grounds of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. PLEASE NOTE: this is an after-hours event, and the gates will close promptly at 5:40 p.m. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Tickets are free with a suggested donation of $15 per person. You must sign up online and be pre-registered to attend this event. This is our only twilight event of the series and will surely sell out! Space is limited, and reservations are required. You must sign up online and be pre-registered to attend this event. Reserve your tickets now! Get Tickets Now

Springtime History Walking Tour Join us for a seasonal walk through Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum! During the months of March, April, and May, we offer this two-hour guided experience led by one of our Master Guides. Our guides will share highlights of the Cemetery grounds, its unique horticulture, and the stories of the many intriguing figures who call Bellefontaine their "last address." As the landscape changes, these spring tours place a special emphasis on our horticulture as various areas of the Arboretum reach different levels of bloom. Tour Details: Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Distance: Approximately 2 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Arboretum Tour – Wildwood Valley Gardens Walk Discover one of Bellefontaine’s most tranquil spaces on this guided walk-through Wildwood Valley, a true hidden gem nestled between lakes, curving paths, and grassy terraces. Designed to evoke the restorative serenity of nature, this expansive garden blends annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees into an ever-changing tapestry of color and texture. Join one of our Horticulturists to explore the winding pathways and garden “rooms” that make Wildwood Valley a botanical jewel on our grounds. With something always in bloom, this walking tour highlights the plants, design elements, and natural features that bring the valley to life throughout the year. This tour will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It is free to attend with a suggested donation of $5.00. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please wear appropriate walking attire. Please arrive between 15 to 20 minutes before tour time for a prompt departure.  REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT Donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Cathleen's Caravan Tour Join us for a guided caravan tour! Drive along in your car and follow the caravan led by our Master Guide, Cathleen. We will travel to several distinct locations within the historic Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. At each stop, we will exit our vehicles for a brief walking tour as Cathleen brings history to life. Cathleen is back with an all-new route that explores the people and places that helped shape St. Louis and the nation. Beginning at the historic Hotchkiss Chapel, the tour travels to the resting places of notable military figures, a celebrated mausoleum, and the gravesite of William Clark, along with others instrumental in the city’s early development. Throughout the journey, you'll gain insight into leadership, legacy, and the lasting impact of those remembered at Bellefontaine. This caravan tour is a unique, accessible way to explore the grounds and learn about the individuals memorialized here. Sign up now for this free, educational experience! Tour Details: Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Terrain: Mild with a mixture of hard and soft surfaces Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing for the weather. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Weather: This is a rain-or-shine event (except in the case of extreme lightning). Registration is limited and reservations are required.  REGISTER NOW!   MAKE A GIFT Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Fresh Finds with BCA's Cemetery Chronicler – Walking Tour Every week, a new piece of history is discovered—or rediscovered—at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This unique tour begins at the Willow Gate House, where we will review and discuss the specific document or record that sparked our latest finding. Following this brief historical overview, attendees will drive their own vehicles to the discovery site (using our "EPW" method: escort, park, and walk). Once gathered, we will begin a 90-minute walking tour. The remainder of the experience explores the people, symbolism, and architectural highlights encountered along the route, offering additional insights into the Cemetery's design. Participants will walk approximately 1.5 miles of moderate terrain across the grounds of the oldest Garden/Rural Cemetery west of the Mississippi. Tour Details: Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Uncover a fascinating chapter of St. Louis history on this two-hour true crime tour of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Pulled straight from 19th century headlines, this tour explores notorious crimes, public scandals, and mysterious deaths that once captivated the city. While visiting the graves of suspects, victims, and influential figures, you’ll learn how these cases were investigated, reported, and debated—some leaving questions that remain unanswered to this day.Tour Details:Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now!Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted.THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR MORE DATE OR SIGN UP FOR OUR WAITING LIST.MAKE A GIFTDonations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750.Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Horticulture Class – Floriography, the Language of Flowers (summer session)Join our Floriculturist, Payton Stutte, in learning about the Victorian Era practice of floriography, or the language of flowers. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the origins of this language and the connotations associated with an array of different summer flowers during a slide presentation, as well as a cut flower arrangement workshop to create and take home your very own unique floriography message! All materials and supplies provided.This class will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.It is free to attend with a suggested donation of $15 per person. Space is limited and registration is required.MAKE A GIFTDonations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750.Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Fresh Finds with BCA's Cemetery Chronicler – Walking Tour Every week, a new piece of history is discovered—or rediscovered—at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This unique tour begins at the Willow Gate House, where we will review and discuss the specific document or record that sparked our latest finding. Following this brief historical overview, attendees will drive their own vehicles to the discovery site (using our "EPW" method: escort, park, and walk). Once gathered, we will begin a 90-minute walking tour. The remainder of the experience explores the people, symbolism, and architectural highlights encountered along the route, offering additional insights into the Cemetery's design. Participants will walk approximately 1.5 miles of moderate terrain across the grounds of the oldest Garden/Rural Cemetery west of the Mississippi. Tour Details: Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Distance: Approximately 1.5 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Springtime History Walking Tour Join us for a seasonal walk through Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum! During the months of March, April, and May, we offer this two-hour guided experience led by one of our Master Guides. Our guides will share highlights of the Cemetery grounds, its unique horticulture, and the stories of the many intriguing figures who call Bellefontaine their "last address." As the landscape changes, these spring tours place a special emphasis on our horticulture as various areas of the Arboretum reach different levels of bloom. Tour Details: Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Distance: Approximately 2 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Horticulture Class – Floriography, the Language of Flowers (summer session)Join our Floriculturist, Payton Stutte, in learning about the Victorian Era practice of floriography, or the language of flowers. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the origins of this language and the connotations associated with an array of different summer flowers during a slide presentation, as well as a cut flower arrangement workshop to create and take home your very own unique floriography message! All materials and supplies provided.This class will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.It is free to attend with a suggested donation of $15 per person. Space is limited and registration is required.MAKE A GIFTDonations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750.Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

New Event: Picnic at Bellefontaine Bring your blanket and lunch to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Enjoy your meal under the shade of a majestic Osage Orange tree in Wild Wood Valley Gardens in the company of Bellefontaine staff and volunteers. This program allows for light conversation and insight into the happenings at the Cemetery, helping you reconnect to days gone by. Signage will lead you from our main entrance at 4947 W. Florissant to parking overlooking Cypress Lake.   Registration Reservations are required. Please sign up today to reserve your spot. REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This event is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Sundays in the Cemetery Walking Tour Join us for a seasonal walk through Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum! During the months of March, April, and May, we offer this two-hour guided experience led by one of our Master Guides. Our guides will share highlights of the Cemetery grounds, its unique horticulture, and the stories of the many intriguing figures who call Bellefontaine their "last address." As the landscape changes, these spring tours place a special emphasis on our horticulture as various areas of the Arboretum reach different levels of bloom. Tour Details: Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Distance: Approximately 2 miles Terrain: Moderate Attire: Please wear appropriate walking shoes and clothing. Arrival: Please arrive 15–20 minutes early for a prompt departure. Registration is limited and reservations are required. Sign up now! REGISTER NOW!     MAKE A GIFT This tour is free; however donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are always gratefully accepted. To make a gift to the Friends of Bellefontaine, email Joe Shields or call our office at 314-381-0750. Make a gift onlineVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org