Parsons Cemetery Walking Tours

Parsons Cemetery is pleased to offer patrons a number of unique walking tours that feature different aspects of Parsons Cemetery. The tours are designed to be download to a standard-sized cell phone. Detailed maps and tour directions are embedded in the tours. Some tours will require leaving the road to walk in the grass. Be advised that the ground is uneven in some places, so please walk carefully.

Parsons Cemetery’s Historic Walking Tour Part One (1873-1914) – This tour provides a general overview of Parsons Cemetery’s early history (1873-1914). It focuses on Section OP (Old Part) and includes information about some of the more notable persons interred within. (~1/2 mile total walking distance; it should take approximately 1 hour to complete)

Parsons Cemetery’s Historic Walking Tour Part Two (1914-2022) – This tour provides a general overview of Parsons Cemetery’s later history (1914-2022). It focuses primarily on the western half of Parsons and includes information about some of the more notable persons interred within. *It is recommended that you complete Historic Tour 1 before starting Historic Tour 2. (~1/2 mile total walking distance; it should take approximately 1 hour to complete)

Historic Markers Walking Tour – This tour introduces patrons to the meaning behind the symbols used on many of the older grave markers in Parsons Cemetery. The majority of the tour focuses on the older parts of Parsons Cemetery. (~1/2 mile total walking distance; it should take approximately 1 hour to complete)

A Geologic Tour of Cemetery Markers – This tour introduces patrons to the types of rocks that grave markers in Parsons Cemetery (and other cemeteries) are commonly made of. It also discusses topics such as: What is a mineral? What are rocks? How do rocks form? What are other materials are markers made of? (~3/4 mile total walking distance; it should take approximately 1.25 hours to complete)

Woody Flora of Parsons Cemetery Walking Tour – This tour introduces patrons to the different species of trees and decorative shrubs found in Parsons Cemetery. (~1.25 miles total walking distance; it should take approximately 1.5 hours to complete)