Lakewood Cemetery

Graduate Art History students provided tours as the Twin Cities celebrated Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2005, at Lakewood Cemetery.

Check out what KARE 11 had to say about the Lakewood Memorial Day tours by pasting the following link into your browser: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~eyler001/KARELwoodSor2.mov

MINNEAPOLIS, May 6, 2005 - Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis invites the public to learn about the "Art of Remembrance" at its annual Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 30. The day begins with a traditional service at 10:30 a.m. and continues with tours, concerts and educational activities for all ages in the afternoon. The event is free and open to the public.

Garden cemeteries like Lakewood were once a place where the country's most prominent architects and sculptors designed funeral monuments. Their works were listed in tour guides of the nation's major cities, and they attracted visitors much as the sculpture garden near the Walker Art Center does today. On Memorial Day this year, Lakewood is offering an "Art of Remembrance" walking tour of monument art styles and trends from the Victorian-era to today. The tour was developed in conjunction with local art historian Amy Pence Brown, with assistance from art historian Jennifer Adam. Tours were approximately 50 minutes and started every half hour throughout the afternoon.

"Lakewood has become an outdoor museum where artistic treasures and community history have been preserved since our inception in 1871," explained Ron Gjerde, Jr., president of Lakewood. "We encourage people to visit Lakewood on Memorial Day and throughout the year to appreciate the beauty and history found here, and to understand the importance of cemeteries as a place to grieve and reflect on life, history, beauty and nature."

Lakewood is open to the public every day during the summer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Founded in 1871, Lakewood is a nonprofit, perpetual care cemetery association governed by a board of trustees. Lakewood is open to all people. Lakewood exists to preserve memories of life and shate its beautiful landscape, rich history, and artistic treasures with the community. Lakewood is located in Minneapolis at Hennepin Avenue South and 36th Street. For more information about the Memorial Day event or Lakewood, call 612-822-2171 or visit www.lakewoodcemetery.com.