Elmwood Cemetery

We loved our self-made wander-guided tour of historic Elmwood Cemetery. With 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds with personalized monuments dating back to 1852, it is a history buff's dream come true. This true Victorian garden style cemetery holds veterans of all American wars, madams, outlaws, senators, mayors, and people from all walks of life, including 1400 unidentified souls of the 5000 who died in Memphis during the yellow fever epidemic. We did the best we could to see as much as we could, but it is a multi-day adventure. Not to be missed if you come to Memphis and are interested in such things. Spectacular.

I cannot say enough of how beautiful and full of history and culture Elwood Cemetery is. There is a guided tour you can download on your phone and take at any time but they have tours on Saturdays and other dates all through out the year check their website before going there. If you like history you will love this place!

Old. Extremely beautiful. You need graves and headstones. Interesting headstone. A gay man apparently. Buried with his identity?

Great place to visit, particularly those who like cemeteries. Interesting sites, many different. Lots of great trees. Can walk through area. Nice in cool days or a good breeze. Several markers with historical information too

The grounds are always kept so nice and clean. It is 80 acres, so you can get lost looking for your loved ones. There are people buried from the early 1850.

The history of how memphis started. If you know where to look it’s the good, the bad, and everything else. You have to come at least once a season and just walk around a section. Stories everywhere. Great tours audio and guided. Many special events to choose from. Come be a part of memphis history and if the bell rings, we’ll good news it’s not for you! Just step aside and be respectful. 😅 great place for nature and photos. I would simply bring concern to some of the long term upkeep. There seems to be a lot of damage from tractors etc, one section is falling into the interstate, and I don’t see maintenance on those, it’s actually more common in some of the newer section.

Huge place, you can drive through in car. But, I walked with my son on foot at our own pace. Very interesting & beautiful with a lot of history.

Elmwood is, indeed, a beautiful, peaceful and serene place to stroll through and get away - even for a while - from the world that surrounds it. As a photographer, I especially enjoy walking through and photographing the statuary which is the type of art that we shall not likely ever see made again. The reason for my four stars is because I do have a physical handicap which prevents me from walking long distances at a time. Therefore, I have to drive my car down the streets, find some place I can stop, exit the car and then walk the cemetery in parts. I should like very much to take the guided tour, but that is impossible for me due to my inability to walk such a long distance. It would be a wonderful idea for there to be small golf carts for those handicapped persons to ride the tour, or at least one of the new Bird Bikes. That way, those small vehicles would be easy to park on the side of the street without blocking the street or running over into the grassy areas.. It just is not well handicap equipped for those who are not able to walk well or far. With there being so little space on the streets to park, I think it would be a grand idea to rent the small vehicles such as a Bird Bike or golf cart. The money from those rentals could be another source of funding for the cemetery. So - it would be a win-win for everyone. Other than the access for the handicapped, I would give it a 5 star.

I do so love old cemeteries and when traveling off I go to find them! For $10 we purchased an audio tour. So much great information about the history of the city and the locally famous folks buried there. Well worth the time (just over an hour) and money.

People in the office/cottage were extremely helpful when I requested service, only $10 to purchase the audio tour, great value!

The Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, TN is an historic but still operating cemetery serving the city since 1852. We took the audio tour (highly recommended and only $10) which takes roughly an hour. The cemetery is the resting place for all classes of people from former slaves, political bosses, millionaires and soldiers from both sides of the Civil War. The tour was remarkable to us for its evenhanded accounting of the people and groups highlighted. Their lives were summarized without implicit judgement or excuse but simply to acknowledge their impact on local, national or world history, which is refreshing in these polarized times.

I've seen some of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world (Sydney Australia, New Orleans, NYC). Visually, this cemetery is average, with a few interesting gravesites peppered along. The thing that makes this site worthwhile is the audio tour, which you can purchase and download for 10 dollars. The tour, guided by a member of the board with a pleasant southern accent, is easy to follow and gives you clear directions to each stop. I chose to connect to my car's Bluetooth and drive the tour, especially since it was so hot. Please remember you have to stop the tour when you exit the vehicle. The tour tells you the history of Memphis, the yellow fever outbreak, of scandalous love affairs and madams with hearts of gold. While it's not the most amazing cemetery I've ever been to, the tour is worth it to learn some interesting Memphis history, and takes about an hour and 15 minutes.

The bravest, most defiant Most admirable endeavor A human being can Embark upon Is the solemn vow to love Every moment Every living breath -Max Rose Elmwood Cemetery (1852). There is so much history here, so much. I was going to attempt to summarize some, but it's honestly impossible because there is no way to decide which stories are better than others. I am amazed at all the information I have learned about the people buried here. The park offers an audio tour or walking tours. Highly suggest visiting this amazing place. I wish I could share each persons story I read about so hopefully some of these images speak for themselves.

A fun and affordable historical experience. Lots to see. Could spend days exploring the history. I highly recommend the self guided audio tour. For 10$ its a steal. You drive through at your own pace. Bring snacks and take your time. Afterward, I recommend their bingo game (found on their website). Helps further educate and increase awareness of historical features in the cemetery.

The speed bumps are ridiculous!!! The person making the decision to do this should have asked for help. I am surprised that the funeral homes are not complaining. The bumps would shake a corpse out of a casket.

If you're into walking around a cemetery- this place is great. The statues alone will hold your attention. Even on a Saturday it was quiet and not crowded

If you are a history buff and like to visit old cemeteries, this one will be a treat. I'm glad I had multiple cameras because I needed them for different lenses and angles. The monuments are fabulous. They had some that I had never seen the likes of. I just happened to be in the area and looked up some points of interest and the cemetery was nearby. I'm so glad I took the time to visit. The best part is that it's free.

I can't believe I hadn't toured the cemetery before. I did the audio tour today. Stop by the cottage when you enter (in your left) and you can rent a tour CD for $10. I was impressed with the number of stops and detail for each stop. The driving tour was a fantastic option for these hot summer days. The only thing that caused us any trouble were some maintenance vehicles in two of the roads which were parked and impossible to pass due to the narrow roads. We chose to detour around these blockages and continued on with the tour. We weren't able to drive by the stops that were blocked but we could get out and walk to them. I can't wait to go back and visit.

This is the oldest active cemetery in Memphis! Founded in 1852 by 50 wealthy Memphians, there are 75,000 - and counting - people buried here (including some famous people!). I am all about some Memphis history and this place is an absolute goldmine. I felt like I went into a time machine and was now walking in the past. As a city, Memphis doesn't have too many things from the past, but you do right here - a lot! Seeing headstones with dates on them from the late 1800s blew my mind. There is something eerily calming about this place. As other reviews have mentioned, it feels more like a park than a cemetery (the intention when it was built). I can't explain it any other way than simply saying this place has a good energy about it. Normally I'm frightened at cemeteries but here I could read a book or spend a quiet afternoon by myself. Go into the office upon your arrival for maps and any questions you may have. They have the nicest staff, who want to help! Their walking tour map helped me quite a bit (but don't lose it if you plan on returning - it is $5!). It explains the common memorial symbols; i.e. a broken column symbolizes a life cut short or the lamb means innocence and is usually found on children's graves. They also hold lectures and tours frequently so check their website for their calendar. Their Scoundrels and Scandals tour is supposedly their "best" but I'm a huge fan of the lunch lectures too. Don't forget to grab your camera! This place is beautiful. Seriously stunning. I was there for 2 hours and took over 600 pictures - and I just walked 1/4 of the cemetery! Fun fact: people often wonder how Elmwood got its name...and it was drawn out of a hat! As can be expected from a cemetery, there are plenty of ghost stories about this place so don't forget to ask for one!

Chances are, if you're a famous dead Memphian, you're buried at Elmwood, one of the city's oldest cemeteries. Same goes for those who have midtown streets named after them (Goodletts, Overtons, Crumps, Vintons, etc.). Elmwood was founded in 1852 as part of the Rural Cemetery Movement. It's almost more park than cemetery. There are hills and winding roads and plenty of trees that lean dramatically over ornate monuments of angels, flowers and logs. The place is huge (about 80 acres) and seems to be divided into different "neighborhoods". Much like Memphis, Elmwood Cemetery has a little bit of everybody: politicians, former slaves, yellow fever victims, criminals, musicians, millionaires, madams, civil rights leaders, writers, and preachers all rest there. Elmwood has all sorts of events during the year. There are lunchtime lectures, a 5K run through the cemetery, guided and audio tours. One of my favorite events is the annual Costume Twilight Tour. People in costumes play some of the most notable Elmwood Cemetery residents.

This was our first time to attend the "Spirits With the Spirits Gala" at Elmwood Cemetery. What a great place to have a Halloween party! There was food from several restaurants in the city, soft drinks and water, wine and vodka. You could enjoy a wagon ride drawn by two mules, which entertained by a knowledgeable "spirit from the past who was a resident at the cemetery." There was a palm reader and card reader to tell your future if you dared, or you could take a walking tour through the graveyard in the dark, which was very exciting!! There were many items you could bid on in a silent action to benefit Elmwood. This was a very fun evening and we plan on attending it again next year!

They have a audio tour CD $10 I went the wrong way but didn't care I cruised and listened and took pictures, now you can return the CD for them to reuse again or you can keep it I'm going to keep it because I am definitely going to come back and listen to the whole thing and make sure that I go in the right direction. SMH It's beautiful here interesting stories and just the beauty of the cemetery in looking at the monuments and the headstones and the grave stones and the markers and everything is lovely. Highly recommend if your in the area. They lock the gates at 4:30 so make sure you give yourself plenty of time you can also get out walk around.

Morbidly fantastical. I've driven past this place for 10 years and finally stopped by this week. Very ornate headstones and monuments. Architecture from the past make present day seem so boring.

My boyfriend and I had the most amazing time here. We are both history buffs and the audio tour given for the cemetery is one of the best we've ever had. It was informative and easy to use. I will definitely be recommending it to anyone who comes here.

Great audio driving tour of a historic cemetary. A real history of Memphis & the mid south. So many interesting, historic people are buried here. Unusual & magnificent grave stones & monuments. Beautiful trees. Driving tour takes about 1 hr 15 min but allow yourself more time to get out and walk around some.

My grandfather's family has been in Elmwood for several generations. I have taken my wife to Elmwood and we have taken the audio tour as well as stroll around the grounds. Fascinating. The history of the people who are buried in this cemetery from the early days of Memphis - even up to today - is extensive. My family has a connection to Elmwood and both of my parents are buried here. Whether you have just moved to town - or have lived here all of your life - if you have not been to Elmwood yet, do not miss out. Treat yourself to a truly rewarding and educational experience as you learn more about this landmark of Memphis and the people of this city. Another interesting fact - they still have room for more.

BRING A CAMERA. There are about two things that would bring people to visit a cemetery: history and photography. As I did not participate in the audio tour that is offered, I can not speak to the historical aspect. However, as a person who super recently picked up photography as a new hobby, going to Elmwood Cemetery was a great place to practice shooting still life and working on composition (can not do either to save my life). The grounds were expansive, so if you grew bored of shooting one particular tomb stone, there were plenty more of different varieties to pick from. Or if you were immature like me, it was simply entertaining to tie certain names in the graveyard to certain pop culture references. Butyes, superstition and a sense of respect for the deceased did stop me from playing this game so laugh and giggle at your own expense. Closing notes: This was a free activity that took up almost two hours of my day. Had I not any other scheduled activities (meals, naps, interviews), I most likely would have stayed longer. Plus being in a cemetery literally alone on a cold Friday morning got my spidey senses tingling. Closing closing note: I only give 5 stars on super rare occasions. When I give 4 stars, it means I would definitely look forward to going back again and expect to have just as much fun.

Beautiful cemetery with lots of great photo opportunities. Beautiful drive and very large. Can buy an audio tour in the gift shop as well as stickers and merchandise. The lady inside was a little cold. Other than that it was a very nice visit.

If you enjoy history this is a great stop. We took the audio tour and had a great time. It's a great way to learn about the history of Memphis. You hear some interesting stories that give you a greater appreciation for the city and it's heritage. The roads are pretty bumpy and there are a lot of weeds which detract from the natural aesthetics.

We were lucky enough to get a tour of the grounds from the executive director and she really killed it. I love love love old cemeteries, and I've been to dozens of them over the years, but I've never had the chance to get such a detailed tour from someone who is obviously passionate about what they do and where they do it. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with gigantic trees overlooking everything. I don't think I've ever seen a magnolia tree as big as the ones dotting the landscape here. The craftsmanship on some of the tombstones is mindblowing as well. I can't wait to come back and try one of the other tours like "The Enduring Love Tour" or "Suds & Spuds." Check out the books in the building, too. There's one by Nell Dickerson called "Gone" that is so incredible it makes my heart beat faster.

A wonderful and tranquil place. A perennial favorite of almost everyone in town with a camera -- a wonderful piece of Memphis history. A wonderful book about Elmwood is available on amazon, http://www.amazon.com/American-Gothic-Blake-Billings/dp/1457982692/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402682079&sr=1-4 Elmwood is very enjoyable

Nice place. We stopped by for about 30 minutes while passing through Memphis. Definitely some interesting history to be found here. We didn't bother with the maps or the audio tour, electing to just wander around for a while. The grounds are beautiful, with some amazing trees and monuments. Very cool.

My favorite place in Memphis. It might sound weird that I would love a cemetery, but once you come here you'll know why. The architecture & landscaping here is breathtaking. I spend hours walking the grounds looking at the beautiful headstones, sculptures, monuments, crypts, and mausoleums (many are from the late 1800's) The stonework is amazing & there is so much history here. Elmwood is a visual treat for your senses & will calm your soul - one of the most beautiful & peaceful places I have ever been too.

We did the CD tour in the rain, and it was not bad. Just stayed in the car the whole way. You might want to take small comfortable car for the tour as the road is a bit rough and small. There are quite a few hill and lots of stop and go. Definitely not good for manual transmission car unless you want big left leg.

Amazing. If you have the time you should seek out this gem. Intriguing and well worth the time spent

There are some excellent events and tours at Elmwood. It's a great place to learn some Memphis history!

Is it weird that I love going to Elmwood? Because I totally do. We have been 3x in the past month alone and I suggest everyone in Memphis visit at least once. There is so much Memphis history buried here and really is breath taking beautiful.

This is a beautiful cemetery. Strange to write it, as I'm usually creeped out by cemeteries, even since 'Pet Sematary', but truly, this is a peaceful gem in Memphis that is the resting place of so many Memphians, young and old, may of them stuck by Yellow Fever. Beautiful marble statues of angels, robed Roman goddess-style women with arms outstretched are scattered over the gently undulating hills of the large cemetery. Huge, old, beautiful trees give great shade to the old tombstones. It's not unheard of to see a person with a camera, capturing the beauty of the place.

I've always wanted to go on a tour here and finally made one last night The tour was called Scandals and Scoundrels and the guide showed us around a few of the monuments while relaying the salacious details of the deceased. It was very entertaining. The cemetary is a parklike setting with lovely magnolias and crepe myrtles. I can imagine going there for a walk or some photography.

Very cool monuments, very lame history. This is a beautiful cemetery, but listening to the audio tape was a huge disappointment. Every grave of note was the brother of the spouse of the secretary of someone famous. If you're not looking to see famous graves and just want something very scenic, this place is really nice though.

The headstones are beautiful with many historical figures and families that shaped Memphis buried here. My only complaint is that the grounds should be immaculate! Do you know the kind of "blue blood" stock in that place? Great time for a stroll.

if in memphis, this is worth a visit. very interesting historically. we did the audio CD in our car because it was raining, but they also have bikes there that you can use to tour around.

We went for the special scandals and scoundrels tour and had a great time. The cemetery is fascinating and our tour guide was enthusiastic and very well informed.

Hey, yeah. Dave R. is right. If you're looking for car chases and explosions you won't find it at Elmwood Cemetery. Next time you are in town I recommend you check out the Memphis Weed Trimming Museum. Lots of history around the technological advances over the last 140 years for trimming weeds around things with irregular shapes and how much of the problem has been solved in modern times by shaping things with more uniformity so everything can be the same which maximizes efficiency while enhancing visual interest and excitement.

We got the map and tried to follow the signs but they are either not very visible or are missing. The cemetery has no logical flow to it, small winding roads, turns and curves. impossible to make out which direction to follow. It must be a pain to trim the weeds around all those different headstone shapes. Make this a fast drive thru experience of about 30 mins and keep moving on.

Did the audio tour on a really hot day. Audio tour takes an hour if you don't get out (it was too hot and humid for us). Very interesting place full of interesting people. Some of the turns are tight, so if you're in a Suburban or something, beware. Would be really cool in the fall.