Walking tour: Silent Legacies – Honoring Milwaukee's Extraordinary Women

Step into the past and discover stories of amazing women who have left their mark on Milwaukee’s history. Join us for "Silent Legacies – Honoring Extraordinary Women," a captivating tour that unveils the lives and legacies of women who stories are often untold and overlooked in history. On this tour, you’ll walk through historic Forest Home Cemetery with author and guide, Anita Pietrykowski, as she brings these silent legacies to life and pays tribute to their enduring contributions. This is a unique look into Milwaukee’s history that you will truly enjoy.

Tour includes:*

• Mabel Watson Raimey
• Lutie E. Stearns
• Lenore H. Cawker
• Alice Chester
• Mary Nohl
• Lynn Fontanne

*Subject to change

Tour route: Silent Legacies – Honoring Extraordinary Women

About your guide:
Anita Pietrykowski is an author, volunteer, and guide in her ninth season at Forest Home Cemetery. Her particular interest is to research and share the stories of the Cemetery’s many remarkable women from the founding of Milwaukee to modern day through costumed reenactments and through the talks and tours she gives. She is the author of the chapter entitled, “Historic Women” in the book, Milwaukee’s Forest Home Cemetery by Arcadia Publishing Co., 2020. Now retired after 42 years of service, Anita worked as a teacher, principal and administrator for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Important information

• This 1.5-mile walking tour moves at a brisk pace over uneven cemetery roads and grounds. See tour route above. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch your step! Our tour guides have a lot to share and are on a tight timeline, so please try to stick together.
  
• This tour will run rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather event. Tickets are non-refundable.
  
• Please arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. Check in with your guide under the canopy outside Halls of History (next to the main office inside the Lincoln Avenue entrance). You do not need to bring your paper ticket.
  
• Parking is free and available throughout the cemetery; however, the spots in front of the office are reserved for cemetery business Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm and 10 am – 3 pm Saturday. There is ample parking around the chapel, in front of and to the side of Halls of History. Sundays you may park wherever you like.
  
• After your tour, please take a moment to review us on Google reviews or TripAdvisor.
  
• Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.

About Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum

Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest-operating cemetery, open to people of all faiths, races and backgrounds since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest

Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres, Forest Home is the city’s first accredited arboretum and is open daily to the public from dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome.

Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours, field trips and teen programs, plus our signature community events: Memorial Day, Doors Open, Dia de los Muertos 5K and Festival, Shakesepeare Festival and Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours.

We have many volunteer opportunities for adults and youth looking for service hours! Email [email protected] to find out more.

Sign up for our newsletter on our website (foresthomecemetery.com) and follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!

If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday-Friday 8 am–4:30 pm and Saturday 10 am – 3:30 pm , or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.

Host or Publisher Forest Home Historic Preservation Assoc.