Memorial Day at Forest Home Cemetery

Join us on Memorial Day for this free, family-friendly event on the grounds of Milwaukee's oldest, largest operating cemetery.

The event starts with a memorial service in our landmark Ferry & Clas chapel, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in the Garden of Honor, our veteran section. Then enjoy some stories from the cemetery with numerous costumed historical re-enactors, and wrap up with a free Milwaukee history tour.

Food will be available for purchase and feel free to picnic in our beautiful arboretum, literally the coolest spot in Milwaukee, thanks to our arboretum's tree canopy.

MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE

• 11–11:30 a.m.: Memorial service in the Chapel led by St. Paul's Episcopal Church's Rev. Seth Raymond. Wreath-laying at the Garden of Honor, bugling by Bill Seaman.
• 11:30 a.m. –2:30 p.m.: Visit with notable Milwaukeeans (see below) at their graves.
• 11:30 a.m. –1:30 p.m.: Usinger's hot dogs, bratwurst, chips and soda available for a $7 donation to the Forest Home Historic Preservation Association.
• 2:30p.m.–4 p.m.: Free Milwaukee history tour by author and Forest Home historian Paul Haubrich.

Notable Forest Home Cemetery residents you will learn about (portrayed by)*.

SECTION 24

• Julia Alcott Lapham (Cyndi Kramer): Historian, archivist, daughter of Increase Lapham
• Byron Kilbourn (Frank Matusinec): Surveyor, railroad executive, politician, one of three City of Milwaukee founders

SECTION 31

• Hans Crocker (George Wagner): Lawyer and politician, Democratic Party --> Republican Party
• George H. Walker (Ron WInkler): One of three City of Milwaukee founders, namesake of Walkers Point
• Edward George Ryan (Brian Fette): Lawyer, Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Emily Groom (Katharyn Kominiarek): Artist, Layton/Downer faculty
• Hannah R. Vedder (Margaret Berres): A "lady manager" of the Soldiers' Home Association
  SECTION 34

• Lenore Harrison Cawker (Anita Pietrykowski): Humanitarian and advocate for the protection of animals
• Mary Niedecken (Carla Uphill): wife of Prairie architect George Mann Niedecken

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ

This is a free event but registration is requested for our planning purposes.

What to expect: This outdoor event requires a lot of walking and standing; there is no seating, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and/or sit anywhere on the ground to rest or picnic. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch for very hot and/or humid weather.

Arrival: Please enter the cemetery at the Lincoln Avenue or Forest Home Avenue cemetery entrance. You do not need a ticket to enter.

Parking: There is ample free parking throughout the cemetery, but the roads closest to the re-enactment areas will be blocked off to ensure the safety of our guests; please do not drive around barricades.

Restrooms: Port-a-potties will be available.

Dogs: Allowed on leash with their humans.

Host or Publisher Forest Home Historic Preservation Assoc.