An Evening in the Cemetery
About this Event
Fruitland Heights Centennial Celebration & Historic St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery Preservation Kickoff
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 5:30–7:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION - All are Welcome
Step back in time for a magical evening celebrating 100 years of the Fruitland Heights neighborhood and the beginning of a new chapter in preserving one of St. Petersburg's lesser-known historic landmarks: Historic St. Bartholomew's Cemetery, established in 1887, five years before the incorporation of St. Peterburg!
As the sun sets, take a lantern and explore the historic cemetery grounds at your own pace, accompanied by the sounds of Banjoe Steve and Fil Pate, performing live music on banjo and mandolin. Enjoy period-inspired refreshments and visit our alcohol-free mocktail bar, presented by Somebody’s Coffee, where stories from the Prohibition era bring another chapter of local history to life.
At 5:45 PM, we'll gather for a brief ceremony honoring the Fruitland Heights Centennial and officially launching the cemetery's historic preservation effort. This preservation initiative brings together St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, the Fruitland Heights Neighborhood Association, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, and the City of St. Petersburg’s Historic Preservation program in a collaborative effort to protect the cemetery, honor those buried there, and preserve this important piece of St. Petersburg’s history for future generations.
Following the brief ceremony, storytellers from Suncoast Storytellers will bring the past to life, sharing fascinating tales of St. Petersburg's early founders, Civil War heroes, and other remarkable figures laid to rest beneath these historic grounds.
We'll close the evening with more music, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect with neighbors, old and new.
Come celebrate our neighborhood's past and help us preserve its stories for generations to come!
Location: Historic St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery, adjacent to New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 22nd Avenue South and 19th Street, St. Petersburg. Enter at the North East corner.
Rain Date: Sunday, November 22
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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