Celebrate Memorial Day at Lakewood
Each year on Memorial Day, we invite the community to visit Lakewood to honor veterans and remember our loved ones. The day begins with a memorial service and continues with educational activities in the afternoon.
All activities are free and open to the public (except the $2 streetcar rides from the Minnesota Transportation Museum).
Memorial Day service - 10:30 a.m.
Our traditional Memorial Day ceremony is held on Memorial Day at 10:30 a.m., near the Soldiers Memorial monument inside the cemetery. To locate the site, see map of the cemetery (PDF).
The service, emceed by Lakewood President Ronald Gjerde, Jr., includes:
- Gospel quartet led by local favorite Robert Robinson
- Keynote speaker
- Minneapolis Police Band
- Dove release
- The playing of Taps
- General Logan’s Orders
- Invocation and benediction
- Color guard
Please note: There are a limited number of chairs, so we welcome visitors to bring their own blankets or portable chairs for seating.
What if it rains?
The service will be held in Lakewood’s chapel, located near the front gates of the cemetery.
Tours & educational activities ― Noon to 3 p.m.
Each year we host the following activities, plus a special tour or activity for that day only. Information on special activities planned for Memorial Day 2010 will be posted in March/April 2010.
Lakewood’s “History, Sculpture and Garden” trolley tours
Take a trolley tour of Lakewood to see monuments of local politicians, musicians, artists, businessmen, and others. Learn about Lakewood’s landscape and gardens, and the artistic monument styles of the Victorian era to today.
Horse-and-carriage rides
Travel through the cemetery as visitors once did – by carriage. Ride around Lakewood’s oldest section with views of Lake Calhoun.
Chamber music concerts
Listen to chamber music while admiring the intricate detail of Lakewood’s Memorial Chapel, a Byzantine-style architectural masterpiece on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic streetcar line
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum runs its historic streetcars from Lake Harriet to Lakewood on Memorial Day only – picks up and returns to Lakewood’s old streetcar entrance, $2 round trip (kids 3 years or younger ride free).
Self-guided walking tours
Free walking tour brochures are available to use in the cemetery that day, or anytime Lakewood is open:
- Self-guided walking tour - This tour takes you through 135 years of history, including the graves of many of Lakewood’s founders, popular politicians, memorials to community groups and more.
- Memorial symbolism tour - Lakewood is filled with memorial art and architecture that is rich in symbolism. Learn more using this self-guided tour brochure.
To download the tour brochures now, visit Lakewood's Online Bookstore
"The History of Lakewood Cemetery” slide presentation
Watch 40-minute presentation about the founding of Lakewood, its landscape and gardens, the people and groups buried here and interesting epitaphs.
Historical exhibits – in the lower level of the chapel
- Lakewood Chapel: 1910 to Today
- Lakewood History Exhibit
Self-guided chapel tour
Pick up a copy of the “Chapel Visitor’s Guide” to learn more about Lakewood’s historic, Byzantine-style chapel built in 1910. The chapel is filled with more than 10 million hand-laid mosaic tiles – it’s a must-see architectural masterpiece.
Complimentary coffee, cookies & lemonade
Visit the tent near the Pool of Reflections (between the Chapel and the Mausoleum) for free coffee, lemonade and cookies.
Children’s arts & crafts activity
Enjoy a cookie while your children make arts & crafts with members of Boy Scout Troop 100.
Other information about the event
Parking
Visitors may park alongside roads in the cemetery except where there are “no parking” signs. Please note that traffic on Memorial Day is often congested when entering or exiting the cemetery. You may also use the Dupont & 42nd Street entrance (open Memorial Day only). See map of the cemetery (PDF).
What if it rains?
If it rains, many of the afternoon activities will still take place, including the trolley tours of Lakewood’s history, art & gardens, the music concerts, the history presentation and the exhibits in the chapel. Call Lakewood at (612) 822-2171 for more information that day.
What does it cost?
All food & events are free, except the $2 streetcar rides provided by the Minnesota Transportation Museum.
Call Lakewood Cemetery at (612) 822-2171 for more information about this event.
