Experience Elmwood Cemetery like few ever do—during the winter, when the grounds are quiet and much of the day-to-day work happens behind the scenes. Founded in 1846, Elmwood is not only Detroit’s oldest non-denominational cemetery, but also one of its most dynamic historic sites, set within a landscape shaped by Frederick Law Olmsted and home to generations of Detroit’s political, industrial, and civic leaders.
This behind-the-scenes tour begins indoors with a rare orientation in Elmwood’s administrative offices, where staff will share how they manage records, plot graves, and care for collections during the off-season. From there, you'll head outdoors to explore the grounds—including the only exposed portion of Bloody Run Creek—and visit notable sites like the Gothic chapel, Civil War section, and potentially even a family mausoleum typically closed to the public. A member of Elmwood’s grounds crew may join to demonstrate or explain winter operations—everything from thawing frozen ground to maintaining the tree-filled arboretum.
Whether you're interested in history, landscape design, or what it takes to keep a 19th-century cemetery running today, this tour offers a rare look at Elmwood’s inner workings—quiet, compelling, and deeply rooted in Detroit’s past and present.
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