Tours General

The history of Memphis is told through the stories of Elmwood residents.  Meet the city fathers, early mayors and every day citizens that helped shape the history of the Bluff City.  A tour of Elmwood is a journey through the past.   

A docent-led tour is an excellent way to tour Elmwood’s 80 acres.  Along the way, you’ll see our stunning collection of monuments and hear the stories of those who rest here.  Tours can be arranged for groups of 10 or more adults.  The cost is $10/person and tours last approximately 90 minutes.  Tours can be adjusted to accommodate your group’s special interests be it yellow fever or the Civil War.  Bus tours can be arranged for mobility-impaired groups.  Please contact the Elmwood Office prior to your visit to ensure your bus can safely navigate the tight turns in the cemetery.   
 
Don’t have a group of 10 people?  A public docent tour is scheduled once a month on Saturday morning.  Tours begin at 10:30 am and last approximately 90 minutes.  The cost is $10/person and advance reservations are not required.  Tours meet in front of the cottage.  Please check the events section of the website for a complete listing of public docent tours.

If it’s too hot to walk around the grounds or you’re short on time, tour Elmwood from the comfort of your car.  Our audio tour is available for rent for $10.  The audio tour lasts approximately one hour and visits over 60 stops throughout the grounds.  The tour rental includes a map that interprets some of the more common symbols found on our tombstones.  The map can be purchased by itself for $5.

Captain Shaw View photo tour

Docent-Led Tours

Enjoy a docent-led walking tour of the oldest active cemetery in Memphis. Public tours are scheduled on Saturdays beginning at 10:30 a.m. and last approximately an hour and a half. The cost is $10 per person. Tours begin at the Cottage and comfortable shoes are recommended. No advance registration is required.

Grosvenor 2 Captain Shaw Angel 5x7 Walkway Walkway Elmwood Sunrise 3 Elmwood Mausoleum Columns Sunrise The Morgan Bridge connects Dudley Street with Elmwood Cemetery. Tablet-style headstone Elmwood is home to over 1500 trees. Spring and fall are two wonderful times to visit the cemetery. An angel watches over the graves of the Montgomery family. The Morgan Bridge as seen from inside Elmwood. Caldwell Cross The family lot of Edward Hull Crump is near the Lord's Chapel. E.H. Crump was a four-term mayor of Memphis.
The entrance to the John Eichberg lot. He owned a tin and iron metal fabrication shop in Memphis. View photo tour

Adult Group Tours

For groups of ten or more, a special walking or bus tour can be scheduled daily during cemetery hours. Tours last approximately an hour and a half. Picnic and restroom facilities are available. The cost is $10 per person. To schedule your tour, contact Linley Schmidt by email at linley [at] elmwoodcemetery [dot] org or phone at 901.774.3212.

Samuel Dunscomb was president of the Bank of Commerce. His son and grandson were trustees of Elmwood. They donated the insurance desk on display in the Cottage. This photo shows part of Lenow Circle, the highest point in the cemetery. The Lord's Chapel and E.H. Crump family lot.
The Atlas Cedar is one of two Tennessee State Champion trees at Elmwood Cemetery. View photo tour

Docent-Led Arboretum Tours for Adults

Elmwood has over 1200 trees on the property — some dating back to the cemetery’s founding in 1852. Enjoy a docent-led tour of the Carlisle S. Page Arboretum, a level two Tennessee State Arboretum.  The cost is $5 per person. Tours begin at the Cottage and comfortable shoes are recommended. No advance registration is required. The next Arboretum tour takes place Saturday, November 21.

The Japanese Maple is one of the prettiest trees in fall. In Japan, these tree is called The beautiful pink flowers bloom in early spring, a sign that spring--and warmer weather--is on the way. This Chastetree was planted in June 1999. Chasteberry trees produce flowers and berries that can be dried and used medicinally. Elmwood's American Fringe tree is one of two Tennessee State Champion trees located at Elmwood. Many of the Crepe Myrtles were planted by Carlisle S. Page, long-time trustee of Elmwood. The Arboretum at Elmwood was named in his honor.