Walking tour: Mayoral Stroll - Exploring Milwaukee's Leadership Legacy

Meet many of the 27 mayors at Forest Home Cemetery including two of Milwaukee's founders. Find out who Milwaukee's second mayor was after Juneau's term was over. See their monuments, ranging from the very ornate to the very simple. Learn about the role of Milwaukee's socialist mayors on the political scene for more than 30 years.

New this year: See what they all looked like! Well, except one, who has no known photos. Can you guess who that was? What about the heaviest mayor? Who lived the longest? Who has the largest plot, and why? This tour answers all these questions, and more.

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE

Robert Giese is a Milwaukee historian who is a longtime Milwaukee tour guide. He has written extensively about Milwaukee’s notable residents, many of whom are buried at Forest Home Cemetery. His specialties are the “beer barons” and Milwaukee’s founders, mayors and politicians, in addition to the lesser-known people who have had an impact on the city.

PLEASE READ

This 1.5-mile walking tour moves at a brisk pace over uneven cemetery roads and grounds. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch your step! Our tour guides have a lot to share but are on a tight timeline, so please try to stick together.

This tour will run rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather event. Tickets are non-refundable.

Please arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. Meet under the canopy outside Halls of History (next to the main office inside the Lincoln Avenue entrance.

Parking is free and available throughout the cemetery; however, the spots in front of the office are reserved for cemetery business Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday. There is ample parking around the chapel, in front of and to the side of Halls of History. Sundays you may park wherever you like.

After your tour, please take a moment to review us on TripAdvisor.

Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.

ABOUT FOREST HOME CEMETERY & ARBORETUM

Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest operating cemetery, open to all since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest.

In 2021, Forest Home became the city’s first accredited arboretum, Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres.

Our 189 acres are open daily to the public. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome. Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours and wellness events, birding opportunities, Doors Open, a Memorial Day event, a Dia de los Muertos 5K and festival and our new Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours. Sign up for our newsletter on the website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (use #foresthomecemetery) so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!

If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday-Friday 8-4:30 and Saturday 10-3:30 or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.