Glenwood Cemetery

Glenwood Cemetery is a historic garden-style cemetery located at 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1871, it is one of Houston's special landmarks and derives its historical significance from its origins in the 19th-century cemetery park movement, as well as its extensive collection of historical monuments and statuary. The cemetery is an active burial ground and is recognized for its Victorian statuary, horticultural specimens that rival those of many arboretums, and a gently rolling landscape unique in Houston that provides a place for quiet refuge and peaceful meditation. Glenwood is operated by Glenwood Cemetery, Inc., which is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation, formed in 1999, is guided by a volunteer Board of Trustees and raises funds for the preservation of the historic cemetery beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance and operation. Revenue is generated by lot sales, burial fees, and miscellaneous service revenues, but these sources are not sufficient to cover the total cost of tree and landscape maintenance, repair and restoration of historic monuments, and special projects such as erosion control. The Foundation was created to raise funds for these critical needs. The cemetery preserves over 25,000 burial records of both Glenwood Cemetery and adjacent Washington Cemetery, curating and maintaining them since 1871. Many prominent Texans, from the days of the Republic until the present, are buried here, and the names on elaborately carved marbles and granites remind visitors of the region's rich heritage. Glenwood offers guided walking tours in association with Preservation Houston, and sells historic Glenwood bricks as part of its preservation efforts. Video and photography are prohibited unless prior authorization is given by the Executive Director. The cemetery is an active commercial operation selling cemetery plots and related services.

Glenwood Cemetery was founded in 1871 as a picturesque garden-style cemetery in Houston, Texas. Its historical significance stems from its origins in the cemetery park movement of the 19th century and its extensive collection of historical monuments and statuary. Since its establishment, Glenwood has been recognized as one of Houston's special landmarks, with many prominent Texans, from the days of the Republic until the present, buried within its grounds. The names on the elaborately carved marbles and granites remind visitors of the region's rich heritage. Within Glenwood's confines is a priceless collection of Victorian statuary available for all to enjoy. The cemetery's horticultural specimens rival those of many arboretums, and its gently rolling landscape, unique in Houston, provides a place for quiet refuge and peaceful meditation amid inspiring natural beauty. The cemetery has curated and maintained burial records since 1871, preserving over 25,000 burial records of both Glenwood Cemetery and adjacent Washington Cemetery. Recognizing the value of Glenwood to the community, the Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation was formed in 1999 to raise funds for the preservation of historic Glenwood Cemetery beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance and operation. Glenwood remains an active cemetery, with revenue generated by lot sales, burial fees, and miscellaneous service revenues. However, these revenue sources are not sufficient to pay the total cost of tree and landscape maintenance or repair and restoration of historic monuments. In addition, funds are needed for special projects such as the complex effort to control erosion. The Foundation was created to raise funds for these critical needs. Today, Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, and the Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation is guided by a volunteer Board of Trustees. The cemetery offers guided walking tours in association with Preservation Houston, allowing visitors to learn more about the cemetery's history and the fascinating people buried there. It also sells historic Glenwood bricks as part of its preservation efforts. Video and photography are prohibited unless prior authorization is given by the Executive Director. The cemetery continues to operate as an active burial ground and landmark, preserving its historic integrity and natural beauty for future generations.

• 1999

  Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation formed to raise funds for preservation beyond day-to-day maintenance.

• 1871

  Glenwood Cemetery founded as a picturesque garden-style cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Historic garden-style cemetery and landmark offering burial plots, preservation, and heritage tourism in Houston.

• Cemetery plots

  Burial plots sold for interment.

• Burial services

  Interment and related services.

• Historical tours

  Guided walking tours in association with Preservation Houston.

• Historic Glenwood bricks

  Bricks sold as part of preservation efforts.

• Burial records access

  Access to over 25,000 burial records curated since 1871.

1. 1Glenwood Cemetery | Houston's Historic Garden Cemeteryglenwoodcemetery.org
2. 2About | Glenwood Cemeteryglenwoodcemetery.org
3. 3Contact Us | Glenwood Cemeteryglenwoodcemetery.org
4. 4Leadership | Glenwood Cemeteryglenwoodcemetery.org