Historic Detroit cemetery lights up for new fall event
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Historic Elmwood Cemetery. Photo: Joe Guillen/Axios
Historic Elmwood Cemetery, a 179-year-old Detroit burial ground and arboretum, will introduce a new nighttime illumination event this week highlighting the cemetery's natural beauty and rich history.
Why it matters: Elmwood Alight is part of the cemetery's fall programming to showcase its dual purpose as an inclusive public space welcoming nature lovers, cyclists, runners and even picnickers.
What they're saying: "We were looking for a way to sort of put Elmwood on the map a little bit," Amy Elliott Bragg, director of the Historic Elmwood Foundation, tells Axios Detroit.
- "We really want to be a place where people feel they can use Elmwood like a green space, or a gathering space or a place where they can come enjoy the beauty and the scenery on their own anytime."
Between the lines: Elmwood Alight, on Friday and Saturday, will be similar to lighting events at botanical gardens or the Detroit Zoo's annual Wild Lights show.
- Although it's spooky season, Elmwood is leaning more into fall vibes than Halloween.
Flashback: It was founded in 1846 at a time when American cities embraced "rural" cemeteries as picturesque alternatives to the cramped, more centrally located burial plots that were the norm.
State of play: The 86-acre expanse is next to Mt. Elliott Cemetery, tucked away along the near east side's winding roads, not far from Belle Isle.
- It's one of the Midwest's oldest racially integrated cemeteries, having never imposed rules or restrictions for burials based on race.
- "So you'll see really prominent figures from the abolition movement buried next to Methodist preachers. … We do actually have some Confederate soldiers buried here," Elliott Bragg says.
The intrigue: Elmwood is nondenominational. It's the final resting place of seven governors, 11 U.S. senators and 30 Detroit mayors, including Coleman A. Young.
- Elmwood currently averages 400-500 burials annually.
If you go: 1200 Elmwood Ave.
- Elmwood is open to explore seven days a week. Gates are open 8:30am-4pm until expanded summer hours begin in May.
- Elmwood Alight is 7-10pm Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $40.