elmwood cemetery

marieb313

Awesome history - seriously - moving stories, a new perspective on Memphis, Please go see the cemetery, lots of history in the archives, it's for fee and so educational. We took pictures there and they came out awesome.

stevejA7877LL

The old family gravesites are amazing. They should have a book or handout that tells you what the symbolism is. The child graves a a little sad. It is amazing what went into some of the family sites.

sskelso52

I have been to Elmwood several times and enjoy the various speaker events. I also have family buried in this lovely old cemetery.

Lovesouthernfood

This cemetery is listed in the National Historic Registry and is a must see if you're in Memphis; especially during Spring. Elmwood offers a guided walking tour or self guided cd tour. The day I visited I took the self tour due to not planning ahead. I have to say " It was pleasantly informative." The cd allowed me to enjoy the history of Memphis in my car, while setting my own pace. The cemetery grounds are full of blooming trees, glorious monuments, and is well maintained. If you like history you will not be disappointed. An unplanned trip turned into a peaceful day. ~I wish they would stay open longer during warmer months. I would love to see the statues during sunset. I can only imagine....

Old_Geezer2013

My Wife and I are history Buffs and we enjoy Cemeteries and the history that they offer about the people who lived in the area that the Cemetery is located in. Upon arrival at the Elmwood go to their Office a rent their Cemetery Driving Tour CD for $10.00, For your $10.00 you will receive a Map and a CD (which must be returned to the office). The voice on the CD will take you on a very well prepared Guided tour of the Cemetery; that is very well sign posted and well worth it. They also offer one to two hour walking tours. Go to their Web-site for information. We enjoyed the afternoon that we spent at Elmwood Cemetery. We will be returning. Highly Recommended.

twintipbunny

Nice cemetery, but better with the CD and map to drive along. Very well laid out with signs marking the audio segment. There is also a swing at this cemetery- go check it out! And they open slightly earlier than most Memphis attractions, a huge plus.

DHabben

If you are a history buff, or enjoy viewing amazing statues and monuments, this is the place for you. I explore cemeteries all over the country and this one is one of the best. It's full of beautiful statues and historical monuments. And the cemetery staff and office are more than happy to help you. They have a CD audio tour you can rent or buy and a map of the famous and historical graves. Guided tours are also given. Give yourself a few hours as the cemetery is expansive and there is lot to see.

JodyD486

People often over look a cities cemetery as a way of learning about the town's history. Elmwood Cemetery has been lovingly maintained and even has an informative audio or self lead tour. It is very apparent that the caretaker pours his heart into restoring the graves and keeping the grounds impeccable. Thank you!

MBphotog

Cemeteries are a great source of lesser known local history and I love to check them out. This cemetery has tons of info in the map ($5- a good deal) and was a fun way to spend a few hours.

acupateaacres

I love the sculptures and history that can be found in a cemetery. This one is full of interesting information. We were geocaching this location so had a set pattern we were following. Definitely on our next visit we will do the auto tour. Love it! Not quite NOLA, but worth the stop.

sherrien2015

They offer an audio driving tour of the cemetery. A very interesting tour and provides an in depth history of Memphis and the people that have contributed to its rich history. The audio tour also provides details about the design and meaning of several of the grave stone designs. We were pleasantly surprised how interesting the tour was. An unexpected find.

MartinR611

On a recent trip to Memphis, my friend, a lifelong Memphian, took me to Elmwood Cemetery, one of his favorite places. It is well worth a visit. Some of the graves go back to the Civil War, and there is a rich variety of types of tomb, mausoleums, and statuary. One can drive or walk along the winding hilly lanes and see many interesting sights. Although this might not be a standard part of every tourist's Memphis itinerary, Elmwood Cemetery is well worth a visit.

jayo958

Really enjoyed the sculptures in the cemetery. Some are very creative. It also offered some insights on life in Memphis. There was a combination grave that I remember. A mother and child are buried together. The mother died a few days after the child was born. The child died a few months later. It really brought home the dangers of child birth in the early to mid 1800s.

loves2garden

This gave an interesting take on the history of Memphis. Would recommend going on a day when the audio tours are available, as the office was closed on Sunday. We still could piece together some of the interesting story of Memphis via markers and gravestones, but it would have been better with some additional background.

pauliB_12

I don't generally include cemeteries on my list of destinations when traveling. But my sister and I were doing some research on family history, which led us to Elmwood Cemetery. The staff was very helpful in directing us to our family plots, so mission accomplished. But WOW what a beautiful place!! It's a bit of a challenge to find the entrance (don't be discouraged by the warehouse-looking neighborhood on the way there), but what a grand entrance over a small bridge into this oasis of botanical beauty and southern charm. Magnolias and crepe mertyls, plus cyprus and others. Small roads and paths throughout seem to encourage respectful exploring. My cousin tells me there are formal tours and even ghost/history tours. I WILL visit again and regret that I didn't do so sooner. I bet it's spectacular in the Spring! An hour is good for a casual explorer. There was a small gift shop, but perhaps bring a bottle of water if it's a hot day. Nice shady spots to enjoy as well!