Valhalla, NY – Friends of Kensico Cemetery, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is offering free historical and nature walking tours throughout May. Experience a blend of music, mystery, and mausoleum stories while exploring the rich history and natural beauty of Kensico Cemetery. All tours take place from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. You can choose an event date and register by clicking here.
Three historical tours will be led by Patrick Raftery, Associate Director/Librarian at the Westchester County Historical Society and a board member of Friends of Kensico Cemetery, Inc.
This year, a new tour will make its debut: the Lake View Tour, scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 8. Attendees will hear captivating stories about artists, world-renowned architects, swindlers, a muckraker whose reputation cost him his life, and visit the resting place of a man who forever changed the world of sandwiches.
The Ossipee Loop Tour will be held on Tuesday, May 13. Highlights include a baseball legend and his boss, two inventors, a movie theater mogul, a World’s Fair mystery, a controversial circus connection, a scandalous scofflaw, a Sentimental Gentleman, a Broadway angel, and one good witch.
The Tower Loop Tour is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20. This tour features a subway surprise, a silent film director, two sculptures hidden in plain sight, a Titanic mystery, a Hungarian dessert, a runaway horse, a vehicle awarded a Purple Heart, and a tribute to Twinkies.
The Tree and Landscape Tour will be offered on Thursday, May 22, and Tuesday, May 27, as part of The Kensico Cemetery Arboretum’s Level II Arboretum designation and public programming. Explore the fascinating species that adorn Kensico’s grounds and learn how history and nature intertwine. Highlights include the battle against invasive species, a 170-year-old oak, and the enigma of “tree knees.” David Prosser, ISA Certified Arborist and Land Steward of Pound Ridge Land Conservancy, will host the May 22 tour, while Mike Cook, ISA Certified Arborist and Superintendent of Grounds at Kensico Cemetery, will lead the May 27 session.
All tours are free, but reservations are required, and donations are appreciated. Reserve your spot using the RSVP function on the event pages. Directions and additional details will be included in the confirmation email.
In announcing the tours, Kensico and ‘Friends’ President Matthew G. Parisi stated, “There are countless stories within the grounds of Kensico Cemetery. The Friends are excited to share these fascinating histories with the public during our annual community events.”
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore Kensico Cemetery and embark on a memorable journey through time and nature!
For more information, contact events@kensico.org or call 914-949-0347 ext. 241.
Friends of Kensico Cemetery, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the welfare of Kensico Cemetery through historical preservation, education, and fundraising for other charitable organizations in Westchester County.
Kensico Cemetery is a not-for-profit membership corporation, established in 1889 to serve the burial needs of the New York metropolitan area. The Kensico Cemetery Arboretum is an accredited Level II Arboretum, as recognized by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Register of Arboreta. It is the only designated Level II Arboretum in Westchester County.
Date Posted: April 4, 2025
March 10, 2025
Upcoming Free Event: Tree Care 101: Pests of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs
Register here! Valhalla, NY—The Friends of The Kensico Cemetery will host a free educational workshop for the community titled "Tree Care 101: Pests of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs" on Saturday, April 19, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Kensico Cemetery Maintenance Building adjacent to the cemetery’s 460-acre grounds and Level II Arboretum. [...]
