History Comes Alive During Rhode Island Cemetery Weeks

Rhode Island’s burial grounds have stories to tell – if you know how to listen. From April 1-May 31, Cemetery Weeks returns with two months of free programming that transforms forgotten headstones and historic landscapes into immersive classrooms, nature trails, and art exhibits.

The Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries (RIACHC) and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) organize the initiative, which features more than 60 events that breathe new life into old grounds. Locals can join educational walks, art talks, gravestone cleanings, and conservation workshops. The goal is to preserve these often-overlooked landmarks while connecting people to the stories they hold.

Community volunteers lead events across the state, from tiny rural plots to sprawling Victorian garden cemeteries. Attendees can take guided tours through church graveyards, colonial-era family plots, and landscaped garden-cemeteries. Many programs also explore Indigenous burial sites, religious traditions, and Rhode Island’s unique stone-carving heritage. Some events dive deep into family lineages and historical religious customs, while others honor veterans with guided walks and commemorative ceremonies.

But Cemetery Weeks isn’t just about history. These green spaces also serve as wildlife habitats and quiet places for reflection. The programming highlights how cemeteries intersect with ecology, public art, and cultural memory in a way that feels both respectful and hands-on.

With nearly 3,000 documented burial sites across the Ocean State – including Indigenous sacred grounds, veterans’ cemeteries, and historic churchyards – there’s no shortage of stories waiting to be uncovered. New events are added weekly, and updated listings are available online, , from moonlit tours of Revolutionary War sites to kid-friendly clean-up days with local historians. For more information and the latest schedule, visit RIHistoricCementeries.org.