April 2020
Spring Plant Sale Member Preview
Please note: This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historic Oakland Foundation members get first pick of plants and flowers available for purchase at the annual Spring Plant Sale! Join us for an expanded, members-only pre-sale event…
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Spring Plant Sale
Please note: This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historic Oakland Cemetery’s Beaumont Allen Greenhouse will be brimming with seasonal blooms during Historic Oakland Foundation’s annual Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 11. The Spring Plant Sale…
Find out more »Bell Tower Boutique: A Pop-Up Shop
Note: This event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Museum Shop at historic Oakland Cemetery is pleased to partner with local artisans for our Spring Bell Tower Boutique! Support local craftspeople and artists by joining us on Saturday, April…
Find out more »Sights, Symbols, and Stories of Oakland
Discover the history, the period gardens, and the art and architecture that give Oakland its distinctive character. Oakland is an outdoor museum of Atlanta’s history with over 70,000 stories to tell—both stunning victories and heart-wrenching tragedies. Join one of our…
Find out more »Victorian Symbolism
The Victorians were obsessed with death. From rules on mourning outfits to post-mortem photography, the Victorians had elaborate rituals and traditions to grieve and process death. This is reflected in the ornamentation and symbols found in cemeteries. From sleeping lambs…
Find out more »Oakland and the Civil War
Stand at the site where General Hood watched the Battle of Atlanta. Hear the story of the Great Locomotive Chase and Andrew’s Raiders. See the Lion of Atlanta as it lies wounded and dying over unknown soldiers from nearby battlefields and hospitals,…
Find out more »Fear and Accusation: The Leo Frank Story
This tour begins and ends with a murder. In the early hours of April 27, 1913, the body of 13-year-old Mary Phagan was discovered in the basement of Atlanta’s National Pencil Factory. Leo Frank, the factory superintendent and a Jewish…
Find out more »Art and Architecture of Death
People have sought to honor the memory of departed loved ones since ancient times, but the 19th century ushered in a new era of funerary art. Innovative building materials came available and styles changed to reflect the popular architecture of…
Find out more »Illumine 2020
We have canceled this year’s Illumine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refunds will be available to ticketholders. However, we hope you will consider foregoing your refund and donating the cost of your ticket to Historic Oakland Foundation. As a nonprofit,…
Find out more »Headstone Preservation Workshop
Learn basic headstone preservation techniques in a historic setting. This hands-on workshop taught by Historic Oakland Foundation preservation staff will teach you basic headstone preservation techniques. Learn how to properly assess monuments for stability and to carefully clean using safe…
Find out more »Dying in the 19th Century
From the log cabin the Cherokee Indians called “medicine house” to the establishment of Atlanta Medical College and medical advances of the Civil War, this tour traces the history of death and disease in 19th century Atlanta. Early Atlanta was…
Find out more »May 2020
Young Historians: World War II and Oakland
In May 1945, the guns of Europe fell silent as Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces. During this program, we’ll celebrate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, and examine the origins and impact of…
Find out more »The Jewish Grounds of Oakland
Oakland Cemetery is home to three Jewish burial sections, including the second old Jewish burial ground in Georgia. This tour examines notable residents, Jewish burial customs, and symbolism found throughout these grounds. Hear stories of adversity and triumph as waves…
Find out more »History, Mystery, and Mayhem
With more than 70,000 souls interred in its hallowed grounds, it’s no mystery that Oakland Cemetery has its share of the surreal. Hear the stories that defy explanation, from mysterious murders to tragic events that have passed into local legend.…
Find out more »We Shall Overcome: African American Stories From Civil War to Civil Rights
“We Shall Overcome” became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, but the origin of the song dates back to antebellum days and a spiritual sung by enslaved people, “No More Auction Block for Me.” This tour…
Find out more »Epitaphs: The Immortality of Words
How would you like to be remembered? Victorians gave considerable thought to this concept. An epitaph is described as “a statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person.” Join us as we explore some of the fascinating epitaphs that grace the…
Find out more »June 2020
Young Historians: Afterlife Art
Mausoleums, statues, and stained glass – oh my! We’ll look at Oakland as an outdoor museum of funerary art and architecture. Students will create art projects and step into the shoes of museum exhibit curators. Recommended for ages 7-12 Experience…
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