Walking tour to highlight history of people in Forest Hill Cemetery

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 8:37 AM

By Staff report

The event will take the public to visit the graves of some of the many interesting people buried at Forest Hill.

The Shelby County Public Library presents a spirited historical walking tour of Forest Hill Cemetery on September 18.

The event will take the public to visit the graves of some of the many interesting people buried at Forest Hill: the famous and infamous, the recently deceased and long-gone goners. Donna Dennison, Head of the Genealogy & History Department at the Shelby County Public Library, will lead the tour from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Visitors should dress appropriately for the weather and walking terrain.

Forest Hill, 704 Morris Avenue, is the largest cemetery in Shelby County and offers tremendous heritage and history. An association was formed in 1884 to develop a new cemetery when the Old City Cemetery became inadequate for the needs of the growing community. By April, 30 stockholders had subscribed at $500 each. Thirty-five acres were purchased from David Walker and Forest Hill Cemetery was platted in May of 1885.

The library’s Genealogy & History Department offers one history program and one genealogy program each month.

For further information about the Cemetery Walk, visit the Genealogy & History Department in Carnegie East Wing, 33 W. Broadway St.