Many New York organizations will be offering cemetery tours during October.
All month
*Cayuga Museum of History and Art in Auburn will be offering walking tours of Fort Hill Cemetery every Saturday in October from 3-5 p.m. Some of America’s most influential thinkers and innovators are buried in Fort Hill Cemetery including Harriet Tubman, William Seward, Theodore Case, Thomas Mott Osborne, and others. Join guides from the Cayuga Museum of History and Art and become an expert in identifying the common symbols on graves and their hidden meanings while you explore the history of Fort Hill Cemetery, learning more about the people buried here. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To register, go to: https://cayugamuseum.org/cemetery-walking-tours/
*Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (Westchester County) will offer a “Washington Irving Walking Tour” on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Meet the father of the American short story on this one-hour tour. Learn all about Washington Irving, his impact on American Literature and the enduring appeal of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The cost is $20. To register, go to: https://www.showclix.com/tickets/the-original-knickerbocker-tour-2025
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will also offer a Lantern Tour every night in October. Step back in time and explore the cemetery by kerosene lantern light. You’ll visit titans of industry like Andrew Carnegie and William Rockefeller, meet Washington Irving whose famous short story gave Sleepy Hollow its name, and see the resting place of two-term Chicago Mayor Walter Gurnee. The cost is $45. To register, go to: https://www.showclix.com/tickets/classic-evening-lantern-tour-2025#
The Johnstown Historical Society (Fulton County) for a tour of the Colonial Cemetery on West Green Street in Johnstown every Thursday in October at 7 p.m. There will be a discussion of some history on the cemetery, its residents, and there a few spooky stories to tell. For the final tour on October 30th will feature a special condensed tour and spooky readings from Washington Irving (Legend of Sleepy Hollow). Cost is $5 per person. No reservations are required for this tour. Please check in and pay at Drumm House Gift Shop upon arrival.
*Green-Wood Cemetery (Kings County) will offer many tours during the month of October. One of interest is the “Green-w00d After Hours.” It will be offered on Oct. 4, 10, 11 and 24. Join us for this special after-hours experience as participants explore Green-Wood under the night sky. Journey past monuments and along peaceful paths, discovering the stories of remarkable New Yorkers. The evening culminates with a special treat—rare access to the Catacombs. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. To register, go to: https://www.green-wood.com/event/spirited-stroll-8/2024-10-26
October 1-4, 2025
*The Saratoga County History Center will host a tour of Greenbridge Cemetery on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. The tour focuses on Civil War veterans and their stories, including a ghostly tale for the season. The tour is free and participants will meet at the Lincoln Avenue gate. For more information, go to: https://brooksidemuseum.org/event/greenridge-cemetery-tour/
*Smithtown Cemetery Association will present “Stories in Stone” on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Historic Smithtown Cemetery. Learn about some of the remarkable individuals who shaped the community. The Smithtown Presbyterian Church, celebrating 350 years, will also be open for viewing from 1 – 3 p.m.
Tickets are $25 per peson in advance at: www.eventbrite.com and search on “Stories in Stone.” Tickets are $30 the day of the event.
*There will be a tour of the Mattituck Presbyterian Church Graveyard, presented by the North Fork Community Theatre, on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 2-4 p.m. with tours leaving every 10 minutes. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased from North Fork Community Theater at: https://nfct-internet.choicecrm.net/dist/#/events
*The Jefferson County Historical Society will offer a driving tour and walking tour of the Brookside Cemetery in Watertown on Saturday, Oct. 4. The driving tour will begin at 10 a.m. and the walking tour at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for non-members. To purchase tickets, go to the Paddock Mansion or pay by cash or check the day of the tour.
*The Spirits of Sodus Walk and Talk Cemetery Tour (Wayne County) will take place at the Baptist Rural Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 6-8 p.m. Walk through the cemetery and learn/meet important people in the history of Sodus. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17. For more information, call 315-573-2972.
*The Onondaga Historical Association will offer a Historic Ghostwalk – Ladies, Historically Speaking – on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 5. Take a stroll through the Sedgwick Farm neigborhood in Syracuse while costumed performers will bring to life the voices of women from Syracuse’s past sharing their personal stories, struggles and secrets. The cost is $20. Tours take place between 2 – 3:15 p.m. To register, go to: https://www.cnyhistory.org/calendar/
*The 8th Annual South Farmington Friends Cemetery Foundation Cemetery Tour (Ontario County) will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 5-7 p.m. Civil War figures will be roaming the grounds to talk about their lives and roles in the history of the town of Farmington. Tickets are $15 an can be purchased at: https://www.sffca.org/event-details-registration/8th-annual-civil-war-themed-cemetery-walk
October 5-11, 2025
*Meet the Spirits Cemetery Tour (Wayne County) will take place on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 and 8:30 p.m.at the Lakeview Cemetery in Pultneyville. Join members of the Williamson-Pultneyville Historical Society and meet friendly spirits from the area’s historic past. Learn about this cast of characters, who were instrumental in carving out the town’s early history. To purchase tickets, go to the society’s website at: https://w-phs.org/event/meet-the-spirits-of-pultneyville-cemetery-tour/
*The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and the North Fork Community Theatre will host its annual tour of the Old Cutchogue Burying Ground on Sunday, Oct. 5. Tours will start at 2 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. Six “widow guides” dressed in Victorian mourning costumes will guide you through the burial ground where the costumed actors will recount the lives of notable figures in Cutchogue’s history while standing atop their graves. Participants will be given a talk on the history of the burial site and a brief history of the theater and how it was once a church.
Tour groups of a maximum of 20 people will be scheduled in 10-minute intervals. Tickets must be purchased in advance, no one will be admitted without an advance ticket. Tickets are $25 and are available at North Fork Community Theater , at 631-298-NFCT (6328).
*The Phelps Mansion Museum will host a walking tour of Spring Forest Cemetery (Broome County) in Binghamton on Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12 both at 9:30 a.m. The Saturday tour will cover symbolism found on monuments in the cemetery. The Sunday tour will focus on those with a connection to Phelps Mansion. Space is limited. Tickets are $8 for members and $10 for non-members. To purchase tickets, go to: https://phelpsmansion.org/event/cemetery-tours-path-through-history/
*Haunting in the Hamlet will take place at the Marion Cemetery (Wayne County) on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6:30-9 p.m. The tour is focused on local history as interpreted by costumed interpreters. Tour groups of 12 people or less leave every 10-minutes from 6:30 to 8 pm. Reservations are required. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. To register, go to: https://www.mhany.org/event-details/haunting-in-the-hamlet-1
October 12-18, 2025
*Historic Palmyra (Wayne County) will be hosting a two tours of Palmyra Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 18. Learn about the lives of inventors and innovators from Palmyra’s past. There will be a tour at 5:30pm for those who enjoy daylight and a second tour at 7:30pm for those who enjoy the dark. Tickets are on sale via the webpage, at the museums or at the door. Adults $15, Children (6-13) $10. This is rain or shine. To register, go to: https://www.historicpalmyrany.com/events/historic-palmyras-famous-cemetery-tour-1
*Fredonia Harvest Moon Festival (Chautauqua County) will offer tours of the Fredonia Cemetery on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and Oct. 18. Ride in a horse drawn trolley along the winding paths of Forest Hill Cemetery and listen to the historic stories of actors reenacting their lives. Some stories were tragic, some ironic, and some very spooky and mysterious! Cost is $25. To register, go to: https://festivalsfredoniany.org/harvest-moon-festival-tours/
*The Batavia Cemetery Association (Genesee County) will host a guided candlelight Ghostwalk on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Historic Batavia Cemetery. Meet the men and women of Batavia who exerted influence and held great power in their day. Tours run every 15 minutes until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required. There are no refunds and no raindate.
Cost is $17.85 per person and are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ny–batavia/candlelight-ghostwalk/
October 19-25, 2025
*The Hudson Area Library will present “Tales from Hudson’s Crypts” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Cedar Park Cemetery. New graves will be added this year of whaling captains and their wives. Donations are appreciated but not required. To register, email brenda.shufelt@hudsonarealibrary.org.
*Christ Church Manhasset (Nassau County) will be offering its annual Historic Cemetery Tour on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 12:30 – 4 p.m. every 20 minutes. The tour brings to life the people who once lived and worked in Manhasset and the surrounding communities. Tickets are available at the gate and are $20 for general admission, $15 for Seniors/First Responders and $15 for children 12 and under.
*The Batavia Cemetery Association (Genesee County) will host a guided candlelight Ghostwalk on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Historic Batavia Cemetery. Meet the men and women of Batavia who exerted influence and held great power in their day. Tours run every 15 minutes until 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required. There are no refunds and no raindate.
Cost is $17.85 per person and are available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ny–batavia/candlelight-ghostwalk/
