History
The Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation is a non-profit organization which aims to protect, preserve, and promote the City of Norfolk's eight municipal cemeteries. The cemeteries' history goes back much farther though, with Cedar Grove, the first municipal cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, opening in 1825, and the first garden cemetery in Norfolk, Elmwood Cemetery, opening in 1853. In 2014 Elmwood Cemetery was placed on the National Register of historic places.
Specialties
The Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation offers 4 walking tours from the Spring through the Fall. The tours are open to all ages! $5 suggested donation per person to benefit the NSCC's conservation efforts. Norfolk Notables Tour: A twilight walking tour of Norfolk's Victorian-era garden cemetery focusing on the distinguished founders and illustrious citizens of Norfolk laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery Located at Elmwood Cemetery Symbols and Secret Societies of Venetian Norfolk: Discover the Secret Societies and hidden symbols of Venetian Norfolk! Located at Elmwood Cemetery Mysteries within Elmwood Cemetery: Discover the intrigue and peculiarities of Victorian Era funerary art and bygone burial practices to reveal their lives and sacred rituals. Located in Elmwood Cemetery Women of Norfolk: Discover the secret life and practices of the Women of Norfolk, as well as see the burial sites of some of Norfolk's famous female figures. Located in Elmwood Cemetery Cedar Grove Tour: Get the lay of the land more than 200 years ago in this 'portal to the past' tour. See how cemeteries reflect the society that builds them and about the rise of early trades. Located at Cedar Grove Cemetery Murder and Mayhem (Halloween) Tour: Located at Elmwood Cemetery through out the month of October Dates TBA