Please note that advance ticket purchase is required for this tour. We will not be able to accommodate walk-ups on the day of the tour.

Glenwood Cemetery, established in 1871 on rolling, wooded land near Buffalo Bayou, is one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Houston. It is also the resting place of scores of people who built Houston into the city we know today.

This two-hour, docent-guided tour looks at the lives and legacies of some of the men and women buried at Glenwood who shaped Houston after the turn of the 20th century. They include oilmen R.L. Blaffer and Ross Sterling, who were among the founders of Humble Oil (later ExxonMobil), and Howard Hughes, the legendary billionaire whose family fortune was built on oilfield services. We’ll also discuss figures including East Texas lumberman W.T. Carter, insurance magnate John L. Wortham, Texas Governor William P. Hobby and Sarah Campbell Blaffer, the noted art collector who was an heiress of two oil fortunes. As we learn their stories, we’ll also enjoy Glenwood’s beautiful grounds and monuments.

This tour route involves a good deal of walking, including the potential of crossing uneven ground and walking up and down steps. The route is not wheel-friendly and is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues. Please e-mail [email protected] with any specific accessibility questions.

About the tour

Preservation Houston, in partnership with Glenwood Cemetery, offers public docent-guided walking tours of the cemetery four times a year. These tours are available by reservation only.



Tour times and dates are subject to change in the event a burial is scheduled on the date of the tour or in case of inclement weather. Time changes will be posted on the PH website, and those holding reservations will be notified as far in advance as possible.

Please note that the tours are walking tours. All vehicles will be parked inside the cemetery. The walking route covers approximately one mile. There are no public restrooms available at Glenwood.

Reservations for Glenwood Cemetery tours are limited and will be guaranteed on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no refunds for Glenwood tours.