Public Tours and Events

We welcome you to discover, explore, and experience historic Crown Hill Cemetery on our award-winning tours! Led by knowledgeable guides, our tours allow you to enjoy Crown Hill and experience nature as you learn about the history and heritage of our country’s third-largest non-government cemetery. With over 250,000+ stories to tell, we are just getting started!

Tour group sizes are limited based on the tour and all tickets must be purchased online in advance. There will be no tour tickets sold at the gate. Please get your tickets early!

For larger groups, we also offer Private Group Tours.

Also, be sure to stay up to date with the Crown Hill Foundation tours and events, and learn more about Crown Hill by subscribing to our newsletter HERE

Skeletons in the Closet Tour

On this interesting and very popular walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet!
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On this interesting and very popular walking tour, we’ll learn about some skeletons in the closet! Learn about Skiles Test and his “House of Blue Lights” along Fall Creek. Stoughton Fletcher followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather to become bank president, building himself a 40,000 square-foot mansion on the east side of town, but what happened to all of his fortune? Who claimed to commune with spirits in her parlor? On this tour, we’ll discuss the lives of those who show us that money does not necessarily bring happiness (spoiler alert!).

**Note: this is not a creepy tour about ghosts, but a historical tour about those buried at Crown Hill.**

This tour will be offered:

May 20: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

June 24: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

August 8: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

September 9: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

October 3: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

October 14: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

October 31: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This is a walking tour that will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.
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Saturday, October 3 Purchase Tickets Wednesday, October 14 Purchase Tickets Saturday, October 31 Purchase Tickets
Tree Tales: Discover the Hidden Superpowers of Trees!

Join us for a relaxed walk through Crown Hill’s beautiful arboretum as we uncover surprising stories, remarkable adaptations, and the amazing “superpowers” that make trees some of nature’s greatest heroes.
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Join us for a relaxed walk through Crown Hill’s beautiful arboretum as we uncover surprising stories, remarkable adaptations, and the amazing “superpowers” that make trees some of nature’s greatest heroes.

This is an outdoor WALKING tour, so please dress appropriately. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Kids 12 and under are free!

This tour will be offered:

October 10: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people (Kids 12 and under free)
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, October 10 Purchase Tickets
The Underground Railroad Tour

Every Indiana community has oral histories about those individuals who participated in the Underground Railroad, but the nature of the network sometimes makes it difficult to find evidence to substantiate the stories. Learn about those buried in Crown Hill Cemetery and the role that they played in this important group.
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The UGRR was neither underground nor a railroad. Instead, it was a network of individuals and communities that helped fugitive slaves try to gain their freedom by fleeing north into states that did not allow slavery or into Canada. The UGRR was most active in Indiana between 1830 and 1865. Every Indiana community has oral histories about those individuals who participated in the Underground Railroad, but the nature of the network sometimes makes it difficult to find evidence to substantiate the stories. Learn about those buried in Crown Hill Cemetery and the role that they played in this important group.

This tour will be offered:

June 17: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

June 20: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

September 12: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

October 11: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

**As part of the September tour, the Freetown Village Singers will share an interactive collection of traditional folk songs and spirituals.**

https://www.freetownvillage.org/freetown-village-singers

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Sunday, October 11 Purchase Tickets
Heritage Tour

Our most popular tour! The Heritage Tour presents the history of Crown Hill Cemetery while visiting the graves of some of the many interesting people buried here, both the famous and not so famous, recent and long gone. A variety of monuments will be seen, including some of our most recognized statues.
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Our most popular tour, The Heritage Tour, presents the history of Crown Hill Cemetery while visiting the graves of some of the many interesting people buried here, both famous and not-so-famous, recent and long gone. Various monuments will be seen, including some of our most recognized statues.

Tour participants will also be able to enjoy the stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the downtown Indianapolis skyline from the tomb of the famous Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, high atop beautiful Crown Hill. This tour captures highlights from our other tours and is interesting for all ages.

This walking tour will cover about one mile at a comfortable pace.

2026 Heritage Tour dates:

April 29: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm August 15: 10:00 am – noon

May 16: 1:00 – 3:00 pm September 5: 10:00 am – noon

May 27: 10:00 am – noon September 16: 10:00 am – noon

June 13: 10:00 am – noon September 19: 10:00 am – noon

July 8: 10:00 am – noon October 17: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

July 25: 10:00 am – noon October 28: 1:00 – 3:00 pm

August 1: 10:00 am – noon

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, October 17 Purchase Tickets Wednesday, October 28 Purchase Tickets
Beyond the Subway Northside Tour

Beginning in the late 1800s, development started on the north side of Crown Hill Cemetery. We will explore the property north of 38th Street, we’ll focus on the 20th-century history of Indianapolis, influenced by those buried beyond the Subway.
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Beginning in the late 1800s, development started on the north side of Crown Hill Cemetery. We will explore the property north of 38^th Street, and we’ll focus on the 20th-century history of Indianapolis, influenced by those buried beyond the Subway. The tour will start at the Community Mausoleum (700 West 38^th Street).

This tour will be offered:

May 13: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

July 11: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

October 18: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $15 per person
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales are limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: The Community Mausoleum (behind the funeral home) at 700 West 38th Street. Please arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Sunday, October 18 Purchase Tickets
Iconic Architectural Gems of Crown Hill Cemetery

Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site.
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Whether it is the Gothic Gates or the Art Deco Community Mausoleum, the architecture of the cemetery adds to the beauty of the site. Explore the Gothic Chapel, Waiting Station, and other gems of this National Register-listed site.

This tour will be offered:

May 14: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

July 9: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

August 27: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

October 22: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tour Tickets:
- $15 per person
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales are limited to 35 people
Where to meet: Inside the 34th St. Gate, in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

This 2-hour tour is a combination of walking and driving.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Thursday, October 22 Purchase Tickets
Fall Trees Tour

Experience fall color compliments of the trees at Crown Hill! On this tour, led by our staff arborist, we will take a closer look at some of the remarkable trees in the cemetery giving attendees a chance to appreciate the views and learn a little more about the physiology behind the season of letting go.
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Experience fall color compliments of the trees at Crown Hill! On this tour, led by our staff arborist, we will take a closer look at some of the remarkable trees in the cemetery giving attendees a chance to appreciate the views and learn a little more about the physiology behind the season of letting go. Participants of all ages will be able to collect leaves from specimens during this tour. Please dress for the weather and off-pavement terrain.

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour will cover about a mile at a comfortable pace for most.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, October 24 Purchase Tickets
Audio Looping Workshop with Crown Hill Foundation’s Artist in Residence

Experience Crown Hill Cemetery in a whole new way and create your own original audio loop recordings in this hands-on workshop led by our artist-in-residence, Michael Moskaliuk.
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Experience Crown Hill Cemetery in a whole new way and create your own original audio loop recordings in this hands-on workshop led by our artist-in-residence, Michael Moskaliuk.

Guests will begin with a guided sound walk through Crown Hill Cemetery, exploring different areas of the grounds while actively listening to and recording the surrounding sounds on their smartphones. In the second hour, the group will reconvene at the Waiting Station, where Michael will guide participants in transforming their recordings using VCV Rack. Through looping techniques and creative audio effects, guests will craft original sound pieces, with an opportunity to record and share their work at the end of the session.

To participate, guests must bring their own headphones and laptop with the free VCV Rack software downloaded and ready to use. Registered guests will receive an email from Michael the week leading up to the workshop with detailed instructions for downloading VCV Rack in advance, ensuring they are fully prepared and ready to participate on the day of the workshop.

Ages 18+ and over only. All experience levels with synthesizers and electronic music production are welcome, and you will learn something new.

Workshop Dates:

August 9th 5PM-7PM

October 24th 4PM-6PM

Tickets:
- $30 per person
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales are limited to 15 people
Where to meet: The Waiting Station (large red-brick building), located right inside the Gothic Gate entrance off of 34th Street. Be sure to use this specific address for directions: 3402 Blvd. Place, Indpls, 46208, and arrive 10-15 min. early.

This workshop is limited to ages 18 and older.
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Saturday, October 24 Purchase Tickets
Civil War Tour

Crown Hill and the Civil War – did you know that Crown Hill Cemetery was founded in 1863 because of and during the Civil War? The original city cemetery, Greenlawn, became full due to the many Civil War soldiers being buried there. The Civil War was still being fought when Crown Hill opened its gates in June 1864, and the first burial was for Lucy Ann Seaton, the young wife of a Civil War Union Captain.
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Did you know that Crown Hill Cemetery was founded in 1863 because of and during the Civil War? The original city cemetery, Greenlawn, became full due to the many Civil War soldiers being buried there. The Civil War was still being fought when Crown Hill opened its gates in June 1864, and the first burial was for Lucy Ann Seaton, the young wife of a Civil War Union Captain. On our Civil War tour, we’ll examine the lives of the many brave soldiers and generals who took part in the War Between the States, and of the politicians, journalists, and even household servants whose lives influenced and were influenced by our country’s great conflict. Included on this tour is Civil War Union Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, the highest-ranking military officer buried at Crown Hill. (He’s not to be confused with Confederate President Jefferson Davis), General Benjamin Harrison (who would become the 23rd President of US), and Edward Black (the youngest soldier drummer boy at 8 1/2 years old).

This tour will be offered:

May 23: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

July 1: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

July 4: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Purchase tickets)

November 7: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Purchase tickets)

Tour Tickets:
- No gate sales, tickets must be purchased online
- Ticket sales limited to 35 people
Walking tour! This walking tour covers approximately a mile at a comfortable pace for most participants.

Where to meet: Inside 34th St. Gate in front of the Waiting Station at 3400 Boulevard Place. Arrive 10-15 min. early.

All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Saturday, November 7 Purchase Tickets
Wreath Making Workshop with our Arboretum Director

Join us in creating your own unique holiday wreath! Each participant will receive a plain grapevine wreath and a variety of greenery to choose from. Our very own Arboretum Director, Carrie Tauscher, will be facilitating to ensure a hands-on, supportive experience.
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Join us in creating your own unique holiday wreath! Each participant will receive a plain grapevine wreath and a variety of greenery to choose from. Our very own Arboretum Director, Carrie Tauscher, will be facilitating to ensure a hands-on, supportive experience. A floral buffet of fun add-ons such as bells, ribbons, mini pinecones, dried flowers, and more will be provided. All materials and decorations are included in your ticket price—there’s no individual pricing for supplies. Your unique wreath can be enjoyed for months to come!

Please dress comfortably for wreath-creation!

Age Requirements: Ages 13+ only; those under 18 will require an accompanying adult

Tickets:
- $60 per person (max capacity 20 attendees)
- Must be purchased in advance online
- NO tickets will be sold at the gate
Location: Waiting Station (enter the 34th Street Gate, 3402 Boulevard Place)

Ages 13+ only; under age 18 will require an accompanying adult
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Saturday, December 5 Purchase Tickets