Bonaventure Cemetery Tours

03/13/2024

Dive into the splendor of Savannah for Saint Patrick's Day! Whether you've got a touch of the Irish in your blood or simply in your soul, join us as we celebrate! Discover the legendary stories of our city among the blooming azaleas, a yearly spectacle not to be missed. And what better place to soak up the magic than in the timeless beauty of Bonaventure Cemetery. Book your tickets and let the festivities begin!

Visiting Savannah, Georgia isn't complete without a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. Our tours reveal it is truly a place where death and beauty meet. Book online!

03/01/2024

In a pivotal turn of events in 1907, Mayor George W. Tiedeman led the charge as the Savannah City Council approved the acquisition of the Bonaventure Cemetery property from the Evergreen Cemetery Company. Renamed Bonaventure Cemetery, this historic site has since been cared for by the city, serving a growing number of both locals and visitors alike. Mayor Tiedeman, in his annual report to the City Council that year, proudly hailed the acquisition as one of the foremost triumphs of the era, “affording a burial place for the use of the public for more than a hundred years to come.”

02/16/2024

During the Victorian Era, mourning was a very sophisticated custom. Families followed elaborate rituals, from somber attire to lavish funerals and ornate monuments. Men adjusted attire briefly, while women embarked on a complex journey of grief, evolving from plain black dresses to those adorned with white details or mourning jewelry, symbolizing the transition from sorrow to acceptance.

Image from Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Clarence E. Van Buren, 1944. “Mourning Dress” American 1872–74. Accession Number: 2009.300.673a, b

02/09/2024

Influential American author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe published her compelling travelogue, "Palmetto Leaves," in 1873. In the book, Stowe shares her intimate reflections on a visit to Savannah, Georgia, including graceful observations of the haunting beauty of Bonaventure Cemetery.

"The thing that every stranger in Savannah goes to see, as a matter of course, is Bonaventure.

This is an ancient and picturesque estate, some miles from the city, which has for years been used as a cemetery.

How shall we give a person who has never seen live-oaks or gray moss an idea of it?

Solemn avenues of these gigantic trees, with their narrow evergreen leaves, their gnarled, contorted branches feathered with ferns and parasitic plants, and draped with long swaying draperies of this gray, fairy-like moss, impress one singularly. The effect is solemn and unearthly; and the distant tombs, urns, and obelisks gleaming here and there among the shadows make it more impressive."

Image from The Library of Congress. “Harriet Beecher Stowe, 1811-1896” Image ID: cph 3a13608 (Image has been cropped).

01/26/2024

Funerary art is a beautiful and timeless tradition that reflects a long-lasting desire to honor our loved ones. The urn, a symbol of our earthly remains, is a prominent feature in this ancient art form. Often sited on top of monuments, it can also be adorned with a flame to symbolize eternal remembrance or the eternal spirit, while a draped urn offers protective solace to the departing soul.

01/19/2024

Cemeteries emerged during the Victorian Era as tranquil retreats offering an escape from bustling city life. This image, featured in the December 1, 1860 issue of Harper's Weekly, offers a romanticized glimpse of Savannahians exploring the cemetery on carriages and foot. Notice to the left a small building that likely remained from the original plantation, the Wilmington River in the background and a few notable grave markers that still exist today.

Image from Harper's Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. Unknown Artist "Bonaventure, Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia." Vol. IV. – No. 205, Page 756. 1860. (Image has been cropped.)

Visiting Savannah, Georgia isn't complete without a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. Our tours reveal it is truly a place where death and beauty meet. Book online!

01/12/2024

The Cattle Egret, a petite heron species known for its solid white feathers and distinctive yellow-orange bill, originally comes from Africa. They arrived in North America during the mid-20th century and have since become a notable presence in the Southeastern United States. This eye-catching bird, roughly half the size of the great egret, can often be observed in marshlands and near water bodies. Its adaptability and remarkable appearance make it a beloved bird of the Southeast landscape.

12/20/2023

Discover the magic of the holiday season with Bonaventure Cemetery Tours! Immerse yourself in the history of Savannah's iconic cemetery on a captivating tour of rich stories and hidden treasures. Gather your loved ones and create unforgettable memories as you celebrate the festive season and welcome the New Year in a truly special way. Don't miss out! Book your adventure today.

Visiting Savannah, Georgia isn't complete without a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. Our tours reveal it is truly a place where death and beauty meet. Book online!

12/15/2023

Conrad Aiken (1889-1973) was a prolific American writer celebrated for his poetry, novels, and short stories. His literary creations explored the depths of human emotions and the complexities of the human psyche. Aiken's final resting place has become a symbol of intrigue, made famous by John Berendt's best-selling book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Etched into its surface, a poignant inscription reads "Cosmos Mariner-Destination Unknown."

12/08/2023

The Evergreen Cemetery Company was founded in 1868 to oversee the transformation of a portion of Bonaventure into "a permanent place of sepulture for Savannah." Their founding bylaws declared the cost of securing a final resting place at a modest 8 1/3¢ per square foot. For those yearning for serenity, an annual fee of $5 per 300-square foot lot guaranteed continuous upkeep by the Cemetery Company. In the March 9, 1871 issue of The Morning News, the company announced a price reduction to "eight cents per square foot."

12/01/2023

The obelisk is a magnificent, soaring monument, standing tall with a four-sided, slender form that gracefully tapers into a pyramid-like peak. During the 19th century, this striking structure emerged as a prominent symbol of commemoration in the realm of funerary monuments. From the ancient legacy of Egyptian sun worship, scholars believe the obelisk represented eternity and immortality, with their long, tapering form connecting the heavens and the earth.

Image of Rauers Obelisk
Section H, Lot 42.

11/22/2023

Looking for a fun activity for visiting family and friends? Make this giving season truly special by joining our popular Bonaventure Cemetery Tours! Our knowledgeable guides will immerse you in the rich history and captivating ambiance of Savannah's iconic Bonaventure Cemetery. Leave behind the stress of planning and book your spot today! It's the perfect way to create long-lasting memories together.

Visiting Savannah, Georgia isn't complete without a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. Our tours reveal it is truly a place where death and beauty meet. Book online!

11/17/2023

Little Gracie was born in 1833 to the esteemed proprietors of Savannah's Pulaski Hotel. Filled with a love for singing and dancing, her life was tragically cut short by pneumonia at the age of six. Heartbroken, Gracie's parents commissioned local sculptor John Walz to create a statue in her honor. Her poignant likeness is the most famous in the cemetery, drawing people from all over the world to pay their respects to the beloved child who has left an eternal mark on hearts and history.

Image of Little Gracie Watson Monument
Section E, Lot 98.

Visiting Savannah, Georgia isn't complete without a Bonaventure Cemetery tour. Our tours reveal it is truly a place where death and beauty meet. Book online!

11/10/2023

East of Savannah, Georgia, Bonaventure Cemetery rests gracefully on a scenic bluff, offering quiet views of the Wilmington River. Originally named St. Augustine Creek, this 17.3-mile-long tidal river begins its journey in the northern reaches from the Savannah River and ultimately finds its way to Wassaw Sound, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean.

Image from The Library of Congress Detroit Publishing Company photograph collection. “Wilmington River at Bonaventure, Savannah, Ga.” 1910 - 1920. Image ID: det 4a24155

11/03/2023

Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, the legendary Johnny Mercer (1909-1976) was a prolific American lyricist, songwriter, and singer. From the Big Apple to Hollywood, Johnny's collaborators included the likes of Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. He penned over 1,500 songs, won four Best Original Song Oscars, and founded Capital Records. Savannah undeniably served as his muse, leaving an indelible mark on American culture.

"Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way”

Image of Mercer Plot
Section H, Lot 48.

10/26/2023

From 1857 until 1916, Harper's Weekly was the publication of choice for foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays, humor, and illustrations. The December 1, 1860 issue features an idyllic portrayal of the Entrance to Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, brought to life by artist and travel writer Thomas Addison Richards (1820-1900). Richards' drawing intricately captures the cemetery's early existence, complete with moss-draped trees, arched gates, a rustic bridge, and a lone figure.

Image from Harper's Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. Thomas Addison Richards "Entrance to Bonaventure, Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia." Vol. IV. – No. 205, Page 756. 1860. (Image has been cropped.)

10/19/2023

Overlooking the Wilmington River is the Lawton Family plot, with its largest monument marking the final resting place of Confederate Brigadier General Alexander Robert Lawton (1818-1896). Known as "Heaven's Gate," a statue depicting Jesus beckons one through the arched gateway of heaven. Lawton served as lawyer, politician, President of the Augusta and Savannah Railroad, Brigadier General in the Army of the Confederacy, and President of the American Bar Association, bearing witness to one of the country’s most decisive turning points.

Image of Lawton Monument
Section H, Lot 167.

02/23/2023

Romantic, quintessentially southern, and shrouded in a bit of mystery, Spanish Moss cascades from Savannah's canopy of majestic oak trees. Neither Spanish nor moss, Tillandsia usneoides is an air plant, of the same family as the pineapple, and native to this region of the world. Filtering the light of the day and dancing to the sway of the breeze, its enchanting beauty has the power to transport us to another place in time.

02/09/2023

Conrad Potter Aiken of Savannah, Georgia, is laid to rest near the banks of the Wilmington River in Bonaventure Cemetery. At the age of eleven, his parents tragically committed murder-suicide, radically altering the course of his life. Aiken became a celebrated writer and poet, most notably winning a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award and serving as the United States Poet Laureate. Undoubtedly, his works will continue to have a significant impact on American literature for centuries to come.

"How can my fingers hold you? You are elusive?
Yes, you are flame, but I surround and love you,
Always extend beyond you, cool, eternal,
To take you into my heart’s great void of silence."

An excerpt of "Dancing Adairs" by Conrad Aiken from his book "Turns and Movies and Other Tales in Verse," published in 1916.



12/20/2022

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12/01/2022

In many ways, Bonaventure Cemetery is more like a sculpture garden than a burial ground. The variety of grave markers spans from headstones to monuments and statues to functional pieces. Thomas N. Theus and his wife Eliza Wilhelmina are interred in the Theus Tomb, which features a female figure with a far-away gaze, her chin resting on her hand, clasping a floral wreath.

Image of Marble Statue for Theus Tomb
Section H, Lot 30.

11/18/2022

A flourishing Victorian era led to the design of cemeteries that emphasized nature, particularly its beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings. Cemetery locations were purposefully selected to ensure visitors could enjoy their surroundings while paying respects to those who've passed away.

Image From NYPL The New York Public Library The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection. "Live Oak Avenue, Bonaventure." 1850 - 1930. Image ID: G90F152_067F

11/03/2022

John Walz (1844-1922) is one of Savannah, Georgia's most recognized monument sculptors. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, Walz arrived in Savannah in 1886, fell in love with the city, and never returned to Europe. John's statues and carvings can be found throughout many of the city's cemeteries, with over seventy works in Bonaventure alone.

Image of Marble Statue by Artist John Walz for George Dieter, Jr.
Section H, Lot 33.

10/27/2022

Savannah's azaleas bloom in the Spring, their vibrant colors signaling the beginning of a new season. Twenty-seven miles of azaleas fill Bonaventure with tranquil beauty and a garden-like atmosphere.

10/21/2022

Stereographs were immensely popular in the U.S. from the mid-1850s through the early 20th century. Viewing two nearly identical photographs through a stereoscope creates the illusion of one three-dimensional picture. Local Savannah photographer J.N. Wilson captured these early images of the intricate monuments still found at Bonaventure Cemetery today.

Image Courtesy of City of Savannah Government Municipal Archives. Girvin family collection of Savannah stereographs. "Bonaventure Cemetery." 1875 - 1885. Image ID: 11121-069_Item071

10/13/2022

More than 600 postcards are included in the Palumbo collection of Savannah-era materials housed in the City of Savannah's Municipal Archives. "A Drive in Bonaventure, Savannah, Ga." is nestled within a Souvenir Folder containing bright, cheerful illustrations of the city's famous landmarks, grand squares, and tree-lined streets.

Image Courtesy of City of Savannah Government Municipal Archives. Palumbo collection of Savannah-era materials. "Souvenir Folder of Savannah, Georgia." Image ID: 1121-070-04_606m. (Image has been cropped).

10/06/2022

In 1846, just three miles east of downtown Savannah, Georgia, the grounds of an 18th-century plantation became Bonaventure Cemetery. The entrance gates welcome thousands of visitors a year to experience one of the most picturesque resting places in the country.

Image From NYPL The New York Public Library The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection. "Entrance to Bonaventure." 1870. Image ID: G90F152_098ZF (Image has been cropped.)