Savannah: Colonial Park Cemetery Guided Tour
ID: GYG362460-648980
Category:
Country: United States
Duration:
01:30 hours
Description
Jump back in time in Savannah's oldest cemetery. Hear fascinating stories about Savannah's past and learn about the materials that make up the city. See the burial sites of 2 Declaration of Independence signers and the Liberty Boys.
Sitting in the heart of the Savannah town grid of 24 city squares, there's an unofficial 25th called Colonial Park Cemetery, which serves as the biggest story graveyard in the whole Historic District. The grounds defy time as the oldest patch of public land one can visit in Savannah, offering you the chance to see and touch materials far older than the Victorian city that now surrounds them.
On this guided tour, explore the place where every town meeting, picnic, wedding, duel, and public execution was conducted during Georgia's 18th-century founding. Discover the final resting place of General Nathanael Greene, 2 signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Teddy Roosevelt's Revolutionary War great-great-grandfather, as well as duelists, merchants, priests, paupers, soldiers, and just about every character that gave blood, sweat and tears to the early colony and later nation.
See the mass graves of Yellow Fever victims, which resulted in the closure of the cemetery in 1853. Learn about the adjoining "Negro Burial Ground," poet Conrad Aiken's birthplace, the Old City Jail, dueling grounds, and the Hanging Tree. To top off your experience, find out about the fascinating ritual use of the cemetery by the area's root doctors, accompanied by eyeopening visual aides as per their shamanism.
Highlights
- Learn how Nathanael Greene's death and his widow Caty's ingenuity gave birth to the cotton gin and the South's agrarian empire
- Observe the graves of 2 Declaration of Independence signers and 1 "almost" signer
- Discover the burials of the Liberty Boys who changed the course of the nation
- See Conrad Aiken's birthplace and the bordering Old City Jail
- Find out why root doctors do rituals here and why Savannahians called the cemetery “dog park”
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• While there are businesses nearby, there are no restrooms on-site.
• The tour runs rain or shine, with a few exceptions.
• There are 3 steps to enter the cemetery but a flat entrance is available on the north or Oglethorpe Avenue side for orienting wheelchairs or scooters. Some terrain is paved but some is dense and tough grass.
• As the cemetery under the grass is largely sand, sandals or open-toed shoes are not recommended.
• Bring bug spray/insect repellent.
• Fans are provided during hotter months but you might like to bring an umbrella for added shade.
• You do not need to bring a physical ticket as you will be identified by your first and last name.
• Colonial Park Cemetery is 10–15 minutes walking from anywhere downtown. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.
Meet at the Colonial Park Cemetery. Find the corner entrance arch bearing an eagle sculpture and the initials DAR. Meet just inside that entrance at the historical marker. Colonial Park Cemetery is 10–15 minutes walking from anywhere downtown. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.
