Woodland Cemetery Park Walking Tours 2022 | Dayton Most Metro

Woodland Cemetery is a National and State Historic Landmark, considered to be among the loveliest rural cemeteries as well as a unique cultural resource for the residents of Dayton in addition to the visitors of the area. With close to 200 acres to roam, over 3000 trees to enjoy and a multitude of historic figures to discover. Learning about the history of Dayton, Ohio is truly a discovery of American history and ingenuity.

When taking a tour meet at the Eichelberger Plaza at the main gates of the cemetery unless otherwise noted.  Parking is available both inside and outside the gates. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle if needed. Tours will launch rain or shine, except in the event of thunder or lightning.

The following tour are currently being offered:

Arboretum Tree Tour
With over 3000 trees and 165 native species, Woodland Cemetery is accredited as a Level II Arboretum. We have 25 species of Oak trees and have 10 current or former State Champion Trees. Join tour guide Kay Linden as he gives you an enlightening tour of the Arboretum at Woodland Cemetery.

Cemetery Symbols Tour
Have you ever wandered through a cemetery and wondered about the meanings of the designs carved on old gravestones? Thousands of different religious and secular symbols and emblems have adorned tombstones through the ages, indicating attitudes towards death and the hereafter, membership in a fraternal or social organization, or an individual’s trade, occupation or even ethnic identity. While many of these tombstone symbols have fairly simple interpretations, it is not always easy to determine their meaning and significance. We were not present when these symbols were carved into the stone and can’t claim to know our ancestors’ intentions. They may have included a particular symbol for no other reason than because they thought it was pretty.

Dayton’s Walk of Fame Tour
Dayton’s Walk of Fame was created in 1996 as part of the City of Dayton’s Bicentennial Celebration. Many of those inducted into the walk are resting peacefully at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum. Some of the featured inductees include: Rev. DeSoto E. Bass, Dr. August F. Foerste, E. E. Barney, Jacob O. Joyce, John A. McMahon, Katherine Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Reeve Conover, Lewis Gunckel and many more.

History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Tour
Who confessed on their deathbed of murdering pretty 18 year old Christine Kett? Did Rose Shafor really dress up as a man to help her lover commit a crime? Who killed Julius Kruse? And was the “Cincinnati Ripper” living in Dayton? These stories and more are told in this walk to the grave sites of a victim or perpetrator of a crime. Please note that the tour relates the actual accounts of murders that took place in Dayton. Graphic details are given and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

This 2 hour tour may be deemed strenuous by some and is not recommended for children or elderly patrons or those who may have trouble walking long distances through hilly and uneven grassy areas.

History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Lantern Tour
Are you ready to tour the cemetery in the near dark? Join us for our lantern tour!

Who confessed on their deathbed of murdering pretty 18 year old Christine Kett? Did Rose Shafor really dress up as a man to help her lover commit a crime? Who killed Julius Kruse? And was the “Cincinnati Ripper” living in Dayton? These stories and more are told in this walk to the grave sites of a victim or perpetrator of a crime. Please note that the tour relates the actual accounts of murders that took place in Dayton. Graphic details are given and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

This 2 hour tour may be deemed strenuous by some and is not recommended for children or elderly patrons or those who may have trouble walking long distances through hilly and uneven grassy areas.

Luminaries of Dayton Tour
On this tour, you’ll visit the grave sites of the people who are resting peacefully in Section 101 of Woodland Cemetery including the Wright Brothers and family, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Medal of Honor recipient Charles Goodwin Bickham, lawyers Grafton Kennedy and Sylvester Carr, the Mead family, brewery owners George Schantz and Frederick Olt, Electra C. Doren, Katharine Kennedy Brown, John Alexander Collins, reverends Edward A. Puff and William J. Shuey and many more.

Military Tour
This guided tour through Woodland honors our fallen and military service heroes from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War.

Street Names of Dayton
If you’ve ever driven through Woodland Cemetery you may have noticed that many of the monuments have the names of many of the streets in Dayton. On this tour, we’ll introduce you to the men and women whose streets bear their name and how they contributed to the history of Dayton.

Meet at the Eichelberger Plaza at the main gates of the cemetery. Parking is available both inside and outside the gates. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle if needed. Tours will launch rain or shine, except in the event of thunder or lightning.

Woodland Headstone Cleaning and Restoration Beginners Class, May 7th
Woodland is pleased to partner with gravestone restoration expert Misti Spillman as she conducts a series of workshops for those who are interested in headstone cleaning and restoration. This workshop will be conducted at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Cost is $30 per person for the Beginners class. You will receive hands on, one-on-one and group instruction on headstone preservation techniques including: fixing breaks, resetting, cleaning and how to mix proper mortars for stone repair. You will also receive a Headstone Cleaning Starter Kit that will include all of the tools needed for the day. The entire workshop will be spent in the cemetery. A break for lunch will be provided. Please feel free to bring a lunch or visit any of the restaurants on Brown Street.

Misti Spillman has a background in researching and restoring cemeteries. She worked as an AmeriCorps member at the Ohio History Connection and serves as a reference and liaison to numerous museums and historical societies throughout Ohio. Misti is the owner of Reviving Cemeteries, LLC.

Women of Woodland
Meet some of Dayton’s most interesting and exciting women in history. You’ll hear about homemaker turned author, Erma Bombeck; madam and real estate owner, Lib Hedges; a visionary for the physically handicapped and disabled, Anna Barney Gorman; Queen of the Gypsies, Matilda Stanley; librarian innovator, Electra C. Doren; Dayton historical author, Charlotte Reeve Conover; rodeo rider, Marquerite Doane; famous actress and woman scorned, Mrs. Leslie Carter and many, many more.

Woodland Historic Tour
Founded in 1841, Woodland is one of the oldest rural cemeteries in the United States. Visit the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Erma Bombeck, James Ritty, the Stanley Family, the Mead Family, George Newcom and many other famous and infamous Daytonians.

Woodland Indoor Mausoleum Tour
Let your eyes explore the beauty of woodland themed art as you learn about the stained glass windows, the Parsifal mosaic and magnificent European marble located in the Woodland Mausoleum. You will also learn about many of the prominent Daytonian’s resting peacefully within including Charles F. Kettering, Virginia W. Kettering, Jeraldyne Blunden, James Parsons, Jr., Clara Weisenborn and many, many more.

Woodland Outdoor Mausoleums Tour
As you drive through Woodland Cemetery you will see magnificent structures with family names carved into the stonework. These family mausoleums not only reflect the men who commissioned the work but the industry in which they served. This guided walking tour will explore the architecture and styling of the mausoleum and you will learn more about the lives lived by the men and women entombed within.

To reserve a spot on one of these tours for just $5, please reserve online.