African American History Tours

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and throughout February, Historic Oakland Foundation and the City of Atlanta will host guided African American History walking tours at Oakland Cemetery.

These tours are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required in advance. To confirm your attendance, please click here. As Historic Oakland Foundation is fundraising to restore the African American Grounds in 2017, donations are greatly appreciated and will be designated specifically for this restoration project.

Hour-long tours begin at Oakland Cemetery’s Bell Tower, and will be offered on:

• Monday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 9 at 1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 21 at 1:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 26 at 1:30 p.m.

Stops along the tour include the final resting place of some of Atlanta’s black history pioneers, including Carrie Steele Logan, founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for African American children; William Finch, one of Atlanta’s first African American city councilmen; Bishop John W. Gaines and Julia A. Gaines, pastor and First Lady of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church; and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African American mayor.