Events

Arboretum Tour – Summer Wildflower Walk Join one of our Horticulturists for a stroll on our trails through our reconstructed prairie and woodland areas. This tour will focus on the various native plantings that make up these important urban wildlife habitats. There’s always something to discover in our reconstructed natural areas! Every horticulturist-led tour of our Arboretum is unique and will potentially cover different plants. Sign up for a tour or two today!  Space is limited and reservations are required. 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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Moments Remembered Caravan TourThis special caravan tour of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum is designed for individuals experiencing mild to moderate memory loss and the caregivers who support them.Traveling together through the peaceful grounds, the group will follow a guide in their own vehicles and make three stops that invite reflection, conversation, and shared storytelling. At each location, gentle prompts and familiar sights are used to encourage participants to share memories, observations, and personal connections—creating moments of recognition, laughter, and community.Caregivers are encouraged to participate alongside their companions, making this a meaningful and engaging experience for everyone.Tour Details:Registration is limited and reservations are required. REGISTER NOW!MAKE A GIFTTours 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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Saints and Sinners and Bellefontaine Cemetery (Online Presentation) The era in which we live may impact our idea of who is a Saint or a Sinner. Virginia Minor worked most of her life to make the world better for others. During the Civil War, she worked with the St. Louis Union Aid Society, a precursor to the American Red Cross. Later, she attempted to use the 14th Amendment to vote in the Presidential of 1872 and worked to secure women the right to vote. Despite Virginia’s lifetime of service, no clergy would officiate her 1894 funeral because her Suffragist belies and activities were considered disruptive of the “natural order” of the times.   Learn how others in their time may have been classified compared to how we view their lives today during a free Zoom presentation featuring some of the Saints and Sinners eternally resting within the 314 acres of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Watch from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be!  This free online presentation runs from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required, so please sign up now for this free online presentation! REGISTER NOW! MAKE A GIFT This online presentation is 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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

What is Green Burial? (Online Presentation) Curious about green burial but don’t know what or who to ask? Join Lacey Reinhardt, BCA Event and Volunteer Coordinator, as she provides a closer look at green burial practices, dispels myths, and discusses new trends and options in death-care. As a Licensed Funeral Director and Death Doula, Lacey will discuss the range of “green” funeral and cemetery options available today, like being laid to rest in a meadow, what one can expect when choosing a green service, and the environmental benefits of this natural burial option as compared to cremation and traditional burial. Watch from the comfort of your home or wherever you may be!  This free online presentation runs from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required, so please sign up now for this free online presentation! REGISTER NOW! MAKE A GIFT This online presentation is 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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org

Chart a Course Through History: Steamboat Captain Trolley Tours at BCA! All aboard! Embark on our Steamboat Captain Trolley Tour and delve into the captivating stories of some of the nearly 200 river pioneers resting at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Uncover the profound connections between legendary figures like Mark Twain and Henry Shreve and the burgeoning city of early St. Louis. What was a Steamboat Captain, and what drew so many of these enigmatic trailblazers of the waterways to choose Bellefontaine Cemetery as their final resting place? Join us for this fascinating two-hour journey through our scenic grounds as we try to answer these questions! This trolley tour is from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. ♦ Seating is limited and tickets are required.♦ We ask that everyone arrive 15 minutes early for a prompt departure.♦ The Trolley is climate controlled but weather-appropriate clothing is suggested as opportunities to disembark from the vehicle are available.♦ Trolley tour tickets are free with a suggested donation of $5 each. 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

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

Arboretum Tour – Summer Wildflower Walk Join one of our Horticulturists for a stroll on our trails through our reconstructed prairie and woodland areas. This tour will focus on the various native plantings that make up these important urban wildlife habitats. There’s always something to discover in our reconstructed natural areas! Every horticulturist-led tour of our Arboretum is unique and will potentially cover different plants. Sign up for a tour or two today!  Space is limited and reservations are required. 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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @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 onlineWEBSITE: https://51295.blackbaudhosting.com/51295/Friends-GiftVENMO: @FriendsofBellefontaineCemeteryPAYPAL: donations@bcastl.org