The Hidden Gem Cemetery Tour (Laurel Grove)

Step Into the Past with the Laurel Grove Cemetery Tour

Step into the peaceful yet captivating world of Laurel Grove Cemetery, a hidden gem in Savannah’s historic landscape. This extraordinary tour invites you to explore one of the city's most hallowed grounds, where history, art, and memory intertwine. As one of Savannah’s oldest and most significant cemeteries, Laurel Grove is a breathtaking sanctuary of towering oaks, Spanish moss, and beautifully sculpted monuments, each with a story to tell.

A Sanctuary of History and Beauty

Founded on November 10th, 1852, Laurel Grove Cemetery was designed to replace the earlier Colonial Park Cemetery as Savannah’s primary burial ground. The cemetery is divided into two sections—Laurel Grove North, where many of the city’s elite and historical figures are laid to rest, and Laurel Grove South, a sacred space dedicated to Savannah’s African American community, including formerly enslaved individuals, ministers, educators, and veterans. The cemetery’s landscape, dotted with elaborate Victorian tombstones and intricate ironwork, provides a visually stunning and historically rich setting for an unforgettable tour.

The Stories of Those Who Shaped Savannah

On this immersive journey, you’ll encounter the final resting places of some of Savannah’s most influential figures, whose lives and legacies shaped the city’s history. Hear the remarkable stories of war heroes, pioneering women, and local legends whose influence still lingers today.

• James Pierpont – The legendary writer of the beloved Christmas tune, Jingle Bells.

• Juliette Gordon Low’s Family Plot – While the founder of the Girl Scouts is buried at Laurel Grove’s counterpart, Bonaventure Cemetery, her family’s ornate burial plot in Laurel Grove speaks to the prominence of the Gordon family and their impact on Savannah.

• The Women of Savannah – From social reformers to educators, the cemetery is home to many women who defied the constraints of their time. Learn about the influential female figures who shaped Savannah’s cultural and philanthropic history.

• Unsung Heroes & Everyday Citizens – Beyond the well-known names, this tour also highlights the everyday people whose lives tell a broader story of Savannah’s working class, immigrants, and diverse communities.

A Walk Through Symbolism and Artistry

Laurel Grove Cemetery is not just a place of rest—it is an open-air museum filled with intricate tombstone carvings, mausoleums, and statuary that reveal a hidden language of symbols. As you stroll through its winding pathways, you’ll uncover the meanings behind:

• Weeping Willows and Draped Urns – Symbols of mourning and the fragility of life.

• Angels and Cherubs – Representations of divine protection and guidance into the afterlife.

• Clasped Hands and Broken Columns – Indicators of unity, loss, and unfinished lives.

Echoes of the Civil War

Laurel Grove Cemetery holds deep connections to the Civil War, serving as the final resting place for both Confederate and Union soldiers. Many of the elaborate headstones and memorials commemorate those who fought in one of the most defining conflicts in American history. The cemetery itself became a place of remembrance and reflection, its history intertwined with the struggles and sacrifices of the era.

In addition to soldiers and generals, the cemetery is home to nurses, civilians, and African American veterans whose stories add a crucial dimension to Savannah’s wartime history. The tour provides insight into how the war affected all aspects of life in Savannah, from politics to personal loss.

Why Choose This Tour?

This tour is more than just a walk through a cemetery—it is an immersive journey through Savannah’s past, told through the lens of those who lived, loved, fought, and died here. With Shannon Scott’s expert storytelling, each grave marker becomes a doorway to the past, allowing you to connect deeply with the lives of Savannah’s historical figures.

Whether you're fascinated by history, drawn to the artistry of cemeteries, or simply seeking a unique and contemplative experience, the Laurel Grove Cemetery Tour offers a profound and unforgettable perspective on Savannah’s heritage.

Book Your Journey Through Time

Join us for this one-of-a-kind exploration of Laurel Grove Cemetery and discover the stories that make Savannah’s history so compelling. Experience the beauty, mystery, and historical depth of one of the city’s most treasured cemeteries, and walk away with a newfound appreciation for the lives and legacies that shaped the city.

Photography by Alissa Lee Nicholson, visit www.ForestCityoftheSouth.com to learn more.