Laurel Hill Picnic & Gatehouse Restoration Tour

Please join us for a sunset summer picnic at Laurel Hill East cemetery and arboretum!

Founded in 1836, Laurel Hill is a pleasure garden as well as a final destination. The National Historic Landmark cemetery is home to significant architecture, numerous sculptures by renown artists, as well as an arboretum collection from around the world across its 78 acre site. Predating the creation of the Fairmount Park to protect the urban watershed, the rural cemetery gardens at Laurel Hill were at the forefront of the public space movement.

The event will begin with a tour of the Gatehouse Rehabilitation, a 2026 Preservation Alliance Grand Jury award winner. Rachel Birch, Project Architect with Archer & Buchannan and Stan Weglarz, Director of Project Management with Wolfe Scott Builders will lead the tour and share restoration strategies guiding the project. Scopes of work included rehabilitation of the exterior architectural features, upgrades for ADA accessibility, restoration of its original iron gate, as well as the addition of public restrooms.

Bring Your Own Blankets or Chairs, refreshments provided for registered attendees.