Forest Lawn Cemetery Summer Tour Program

From Forest Lawn:

Forest Lawn Cemetery and Garden Mausoleums will greatly expand its popular Sunday in the Cemetery Tours. A total of 38 guided motor coach and walking tours will focus on the cemetery's history, nature, art and architecture, famous women, and African-Americans from June 7 through September 27, 2009. In 2008, Forest Lawn offered 25 tours as part of the summer program.

Now in its 13th year, the tour series marks the 160th anniversary of Buffalo's oldest cemetery. Founded in 1849, Forest Lawn continues to serve as an important end-point destination for tourists, historians, and families seeking a better understanding of the history of Buffalo and the nation.

During the tours, professional guides and authentically costumed characters chat with visitors and speak "in character" about what life was like from the early 1800's. Visitors tour parts of Forest Lawn's 269 acres (one of New York State's largest arboretums!) and see outstanding examples of funerary art. Forest Lawn is listed on both State and National Registers of Historic Places. More than 156,000 people have chosen Forest Lawn as their final resting place, and famous people interred there include a President of the United States, 47 Mayors of Buffalo, recipients of the Medal of Honor, veterans from more than 8 wars, and thousand of others.

The summer's schedule includes 20 History Tours by air-conditioned motor coach, 11 History Walking Tours; 2 Nature Walks; 1 Famous Women Motor Coach Tour and 1 Famous Women Walking Tour; 1 African-American Motor Coach Tour; 1 Pan Am Motor Coach Tour; and 1 Art & Architecture Motor Coach Tour. Motor Coach Tours are $25 per person. Walking Tours are $15 per person. Tours last approximately one and a half hours, and due to length, are not recommended for children under 12. Adult group tours are available by special arrangement through the Forest Lawn office, and information on both school and group tours may be obtained by calling 885-1606, extension 302. Reservations are required, and tickets may be obtained from Forest Lawn at the corner of Delaware and Delavan, or on line at forest-lawn.com, or www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/8231.