Spring Grove: History In Bloom Tour

Turn back time as horse-​drawn carriages ride through Spring Grove Cemetery to view Champion trees, blossoming flowers, and historic architecture. In addition, visitors hear stories from some of the cemetery’s most notable «residents.»
Beginning at Lakeside Mausoleum, guests can choose from four different tours:
* History & Heritage
* Ladies of the Grove
* Splash of Spring Horticulture
* Art in the Grove
Each tour lasts about an hour and is free. If you arrive early enough in the day, you can take all four.
I selected the History & Heritage tour, which was led by two stunning white donkeys pulling an old-​fashioned carriage with 20 guests. We traveled through the cemetery stopping at several gravesites. Each was stationed with a reenactor dressed in period clothing, who shared vivid stores of Cincinnati’s past:
* Adolph Strauch — creator of the landscaping design at Spring Grove Cemetery
* Francis «Fanny» Wright — a Scottish immigrant, Fanny was an abolitionist who proposed ending slavery in 1825, argued for women’s rights, and challenged organized religion
* General Joseph Hooker — a major general for the Union in the Civil War
* Brigadier General William Lytle — an Ohio politician and poet, best known for his leadership and defeat in the Civil War
…and many more!
In between hearing tales from the reenactors, we enjoyed the gorgeous cemetery in bloom. There were plenty of opportunities for photographs! On the map we were given for the tour, other neighboring graves were marked. Once the tour ended, I used the map to locate two of my favorite Cincinnati legends: Boss Cox and James N. Gamble.
Spring Grove Cemetery hosts a variety of tours throughout the year. I’ll definitely be attending future activities!