Spring at Oakland CemeteryTour season is officially underway at Historic Oakland Cemetery, the 151-year-old Victorian garden cemetery which holds the history, culture, and identity of Atlanta in its hallowed grounds.

Historic Oakland Foundation offers tours focused on the period gardens, history, customs, architecture, and art that give Oakland its distinctive character. Oakland is the final resting place of Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell, golfing legend Bobby Jones, and Atlanta’s first African American mayor Maynard Jackson to name a few.

The schedule of weekend guided walking tours for 2011 is open to all through Nov. 27. Tours begin at the Visitors Center/Museum Shop located at the Bell Tower building. Parking is free.

Sights, Symbols & Stories of Oakland
(An overview tour lasting 1 ½ hours)
Saturdays-10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Sundays-10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Twilight Tours
(March 19 – October 16. Topics vary weekly. Visit website for schedule. Tours last 1 hour)
Saturdays – 6:30pm
Sundays – 6:30pm

Tour Prices
Adults (18 – 64) – $10.00
Students (with ID) – $5.00
Seniors (65 & older) – $5.00
Children (6 – 17) – $5.00
Families (2 adults & 2 children) – $26.00
Foundation Members – Free

For more information visit www.oaklandcemetery.com.

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.