Historic Oakland Cemetery

Historic Oakland Cemetery is one of the finest rural Victorian cemeteries in the United States, dating from 1850, and is home to many of Atlanta's most important luminaries who made Atlanta what it is today.  Originally used as a park for the citizens, it has regained that description while playing host to a spring music festival (Tunes from the Tombs), Sunday in the Park (one Sunday in October), a rolicking 5K at Halloween, a renowned Halloween tour, bike tours, weekend tours as well as various other events.  It even houses a (award-winning) gift shop, which is one of only a few in the nation.  

The cemetery maintains its gorgeous rural gardens through the exclusive efforts of volunteers (except for grass-cutting), so it is always looking for those who want to enjoy an oasis in the center of the city, while contributing their efforts to a landscape that has made Oakland the #1 tourist destination in the city.  Second Saturday workdays have long been a tradition, and will continue to be so.  

Contact us at [email protected] to find out how to get involved!

Originally charted as a City park, Oakland’s 48 acres of open land, magnificent trees and century-old gardens, is Atlanta’s third largest public green space and a place of rare and unusual beauty. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for rich and poor, black and white, Christian and Jew, celebrated and humble, powerful and meek. Among the residents are a slave named Bosan, believed to have lived 125 years; golfing legend Bobby Jones; novelist Margaret Mitchell; Bishop Wesley John Gaines, the former slave who founded Morris Brown College, former governors and mayors; civic leaders whose names resound from businesses like Rich’s, schools like O’Keefe, landmarks like Hurt Park, neighborhoods such as Inman Park.

The Historic Oakland Foundation partners with the City of Atlanta to preserve, restore, enhance and share Oakland Cemetery with the public as an important cultural resource and an island of tranquility in the heart of the city. See www.OaklandCemetery.com.