Bonaventure Cemetery Audio Guide

Bonaventure Cemetery: what does the audio guide cover?

1. 01

   Welcome to Bonaventure

   Welcome to Bonaventure Cemetery, a place where time seems to slow down under the weight of the Spanish moss. You are currently standing on a scenic bluff overlooking the Wilmington River in Savannah, Georgia. The name Bonaventure comes from the Italian words buona ventura, meaning good fortune, a name given to this land when it was first established as a private plantation in 1760. As you begin your walk, notice how the massive live oak trees form a natural cathedral over the pathways. These trees were planted over 250 years ago by the original owners, spaced exactly 15 feet apart to create the grand avenues you see today. This is not just a graveyard; it is a masterpiece of the Victorian Garden movement, designed to be as much a park for the living as a resting place for the dead. Take a deep breath and let the scent of the salt marsh and azaleas prepare you for a journey through Savannah’s deep and layered history.

2. 02

   From Fortune to Forever

   The land beneath your feet has a storied past that predates its life as a cemetery. Originally the 600 acre estate of the Mullryne and Tattnall families, it transitioned into a public space following a series of dramatic events. Local legend tells of a grand dinner party held at the plantation house when a fire broke out; the guests reportedly moved their table and fine china out under the oak trees to finish their meal while the mansion burned to the ground behind them. In 1846, a man named Peter Wiltberger purchased the property with the dream of creating a rural cemetery. While he died before the project was complete, his son William fulfilled the vision, originally calling it the Evergreen Cemetery. It was not until 1907 that the City of Savannah purchased the grounds, expanding them to the 160 acres you can explore today. As you walk, you might notice that the pathways are mostly dirt and gravel, which can be a bit tricky for wheelchairs, so please take your time and watch your step on the uneven surfaces.

3. 03

   The Music and the Poetry

   Some of Savannah’s most creative souls found their final rest here, and their monuments often reflect their artistic spirits. Perhaps the most famous is the songwriter Johnny Mercer, who wrote international hits like Moon River and Hooray for Hollywood. His family plot is a place of quiet celebration, where fans often leave coins or small tokens of appreciation on the bench-style markers. Not far from him lies the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken. His grave is also a bench, inscribed with the simple yet profound message: Give my love to the world. It has become a tradition for visitors to sit for a moment on his memorial, perhaps even sharing a quiet toast in his honor. These sites remind us that Bonaventure was designed to inspire the living through the legacies of those who came before. If you need a moment of modern convenience, remember that the only public restrooms are located near the main entrance gates, so it is a good idea to plan your route accordingly before heading deeper into the riverfront sections.

4. 04

   The Sentinel: Little Gracie Watson

   One of the most emotionally resonant sites in the entire cemetery is the grave of Little Gracie Watson. Gracie was the six-year-old daughter of a hotel manager who charmed the guests of the Pulaski House in downtown Savannah. Tragically, she died of pneumonia in 1889, just two days before Easter Sunday. Her grieving father commissioned the sculptor John Walz to create a life-sized marble likeness of her, based on a photograph taken in her holiday finery. The result is so lifelike that it has captivated visitors for over a century. You will see an iron fence surrounding her, which was added to protect the sculpture after years of visitors touching and rubbing the stone. While it is a common sight to see toys, flowers, and trinkets left at the gate, remember that all plots here are private property. For proper etiquette, please stay on the established pathways and refrain from stepping inside the family enclosures or performing headstone rubbings, which are prohibited to preserve the fragile limestone and marble.

5. 05

   A Place for Every Soul

   As you wander toward the edges of the cemetery, you will discover that Bonaventure is a tapestry of many communities. In 1909, the local Jewish community purchased Section Q to serve their congregants, adding a unique brick mortuary chapel in 1917—the only one of its kind in a Savannah cemetery. Look for the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, which poignantly contains the ashes of 344 individuals brought from Germany. It stands as a stark, powerful contrast to the lush, romantic landscapes elsewhere. Before you finish your visit, make your way to the very edge of the bluff where the land meets the Wilmington River. The view of the salt marshes moving with the tide is a reminder of the natural cycle of life that surrounds this City of the Dead. The gates close promptly at five p.m., so as the sun begins to dip lower, let the shifting shadows on the stone angels guide your thoughts back toward the entrance, keeping the stories of Savannah's past alive in your mind.