Savannah: Womens History Tour at Laurel Grove Cemetery

The Savannah: Women’s History Tour at Laurel Grove Cemetery offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the remarkable lives and legacies of pioneering women who left an indelible mark on the city. This two-hour guided tour delves into the exquisite Victorian ironwork, diverse mausoleum architecture, and the family gravesite of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts. As you stroll through the historic grounds, you’ll uncover the daring, innovative, and often controversial stories of accomplished Savannah women, from authors to philanthropists and civil rights activists. But the tour’s true significance lies in its exploration of the community’s mourning rituals and the powerful role of women’s associations in shaping the city’s history.

Key Points

• Explore the lives of pioneering Savannah women, including Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts, during a 2-hour guided tour of Laurel Grove Cemetery.
• Discover the exquisite Victorian ironwork, ornate mausoleums, and serene landscape of the cemetery, which serves as the final resting place for many accomplished women.
• Learn about the daring, innovative, and often controversial lives of Savannah’s leading ladies, such as Lucy Craft Laney and Susie King Taylor.
• Understand the significance of mourning rituals, garb, and jewelry, as well as the role of women’s associations in honoring the memory of the deceased.
• The tour starts at the blue gazebo inside the cemetery entrance, with nearby parking available for those driving to the event.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Details

The Womens History Tour at Laurel Grove Cemetery lasts for 2 hours and is conducted in English.

Visitors can check availability to see the starting times and reserve their spot, with the option to pay later. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour highlights Savannah’s exquisite Victorian ironwork, the vast mausoleum architecture, and the family gravesite of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts.

During the tour, guests will explore Laurel Grove Cemetery, where many accomplished women are laid to rest, and learn about their daring, innovative, and often controversial lives.

The tour includes the entrance fee to the cemetery and a live tour guide.

Tour Highlights

On the Womens History Tour, visitors can see Savannah’s most exquisite collection of Victorian ironwork, observe the variety and vastness of mausoleum architecture, and visit the family gravesite of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts.

The tour highlights the daring, innovative, and often controversial lives of the accomplished women laid to rest in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Guests will learn about the role of mourning rituals, garb, jewelry, and women’s associations in the lives of these pioneering individuals.

This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and significance of Savannah’s female trailblazers through the lens of the city’s historic cemetery.

Explore Laurel Grove Cemetery

Visitors often explore Laurel Grove Cemetery, where they can enjoy the rich history and exquisite architecture of Savannah’s historic burial ground. The cemetery features a diverse collection of Victorian-era mausoleums, ornate ironwork, and the family gravesite of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. As they wander through the serene landscape, guests can learn about the daring, innovative, and often controversial lives of the accomplished women laid to rest here. The tour also examines the role of mourning rituals, garb, and women’s associations in this unique setting.

Architectural Highlights	Noteworthy Burials
Ornate Mausoleums	Juliette Gordon Low
Intricate Ironwork	Other Pioneering Women
Serene Landscape	Prominent Savannah Families

Accomplished Women Laid to Rest

Laurel Grove Cemetery serves as the final resting place for numerous accomplished women who made significant contributions to Savannah’s history. Among them lies Juliette Gordon Low, the pioneering founder of the Girl Scouts organization, whose family gravesite is a prominent feature of the cemetery.

In addition, the cemetery contains the graves of other influential Savannah women, including authors, philanthropists, and civil rights activists.

Visitors can explore the variety and grandeur of the mausoleums and marvel at the exquisite Victorian ironwork that adorns many of the gravesites.

The cemetery offers a unique opportunity to learn about the daring, innovative, and often controversial lives of these remarkable women who left an indelible mark on the city.

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Daring, Innovative, and Controversial Lives

The women interred at Laurel Grove Cemetery led daring, innovative, and often controversial lives that left an indelible mark on Savannah’s history. From pioneering philanthropists to outspoken civil rights activists, these remarkable individuals defied societal expectations and pushed the boundaries of what was possible for women during their time.

Name	Contribution	Controversy
Lucy Craft Laney	Established one of the first schools for African-American children in Georgia	Faced fierce opposition from segregationists
Juliette Gordon Low	Founded the Girl Scouts, empowering young women to become leaders	Challenged traditional gender roles
Susie King Taylor	Served as a nurse and teacher during the Civil War, advocating for Black rights	Outspoken critic of racial injustice
Mary Telfair	Influential philanthropist, funded the first public library and art museum in Savannah	Defied social norms by remaining unmarried

Mourning Rituals, Garb, and Jewelry

During the Victorian era, the women interred at Laurel Grove Cemetery often expressed their mourning through intricate garb, symbolic jewelry, and meticulously observed rituals.

Black dresses, veils, and gloves were essential components of Victorian mourning attire. Jet jewelry, with its deep black color, was a popular choice to convey grief.

Rituals like holding vigils, wearing mourning bands, and observing set periods of seclusion were commonplace. These practices reflected the importance placed on public displays of bereavement and the desire to honor the deceased.

Women’s Associations

Women’s associations played a significant role in the lives of many interred at Laurel Grove Cemetery, as they provided crucial support networks and platforms for civic engagement during a time of limited opportunities for female leadership.

Groups like the Savannah Ladies’ Memorial Association and the Women’s Relief Corps tended to the graves and honored the memory of the city’s prominent women. They also advocated for causes ranging from education to prison reform.

Through these organizations, these women exercised their influence and left a lasting impact on their community, even if their individual stories were often overshadowed in the historical record. Their legacy lives on in the vibrant associations that continue to shape Savannah’s civic life.

Meeting and Parking Information

Visitors can locate the tour’s starting point at the blue gazebo just inside the entrance to Laurel Grove Cemetery. Nearby parking is available for those driving to the event.

The meeting spot is easy to spot, and attendees won’t have trouble finding it. Once at the cemetery, guests can park their vehicles close by and make their way to the blue gazebo to begin the women’s history tour.

The tour guide will be waiting there to welcome the group and provide an overview of the upcoming experience. Participants can feel confident about their ability to find the starting location and get situated before the tour begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is This Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, as the cemetery’s paths and walkways are paved and suitable for navigating with a wheelchair. Visitors with mobility challenges can fully participate in and enjoy the tour.

Can I Bring Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Participants can bring food and drinks on the tour, as long as they dispose of any trash properly. The tour focuses on the content, so enjoying light snacks or beverages is generally permitted, within reason.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed during tours, though visitors should be respectful and avoid disrupting the experience for others. It’s always best to check with the tour provider beforehand to confirm their photography policy.

How Long Is the Walking Distance During the Tour?

The walking distance during the tour is not explicitly stated, but the tour duration of 2 hours suggests a moderate walking distance throughout the cemetery. Guests should be prepared for an active exploration of the cemetery grounds.

Can I Join the Tour if I’m Running Late?

Yes, you can still join the tour if running late, but it’s best to arrive on time. The tour will not wait for late arrivals, so you may miss key portions if you’re significantly behind the group.

Recap

The Savannah: Women’s History Tour at Laurel Grove Cemetery offers a unique opportunity to explore the lives and legacies of pioneering women.

Visitors will learn about the daring, innovative, and often controversial accomplishments of Savannah’s authors, philanthropists, and civil rights activists, while also discovering the significance of mourning rituals and women’s associations in the community.

It’s an insightful and immersive experience for those interested in uncovering the hidden histories of remarkable women.

You can check availability for your dates here: