The Trust's cultural activities, educational programs, and preservation efforts at historic Forest Hills Cemetery are supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

These programs are also made possible through contributions from individuals and grants from foundations.


 

 

 


Scroll down for a detailed list of events.

Next Concert:
At the End the Storm He Brings the Light

A concert of gospel music on Sunday, March 9 at 4pm, in the beautiful setting of Forsyth Chapel

details below


 

 

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EXHIBITION
Ongoing

Free
7:30 am to dusk
Guide available at the Map Stand just inside the Main Gate Entrance.

The Sculpture Path
More than 30 diverse works of sculpture by local and national artists form a route through the oldest part of the Cemetery grounds, around Lake Hibiscus, and into the newest sections. More information about The Sculpture Path and a List of Participating Artists are included in this site under Exhibitions and Sculpture.

 

CONCERT
Sunday, April 9
4 pm, $15 /$12 FHET members

 

GOSPEL CONCERT: At the End of the Storm He Brings the Light
Ron Murphy delights with the passion and soul of his deep baritone voice. Join him for a rousing Easter-time gospel afternoon. Celebrate the spirit of re-awakening and praise. Reservations: 617.524.3354 or tickets@foresthillstrust.org.

Sign up for a membership and buy your tickets at a discount!

POETRY
Sunday, April 23
2 pm, $5

Celebrate National Poetry Month
Readings by Afaa Michael Weaver, Harris Gardner, Jean Monahan and Sarah Getty. Presented with Tapestry of Voices. Reservations are not required.

WALKING TOUR
Sunday, April 30
2 pm, $8

Stories Behind the Stones
Al Maze kicks off the season with walking tour introducing the fascinating history of Forest Hills Cemetery and some of the notable Bostonians buried here. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and expect to walk about 2 miles in varied terrain. Reservations are not required. Rain or shine.
 

CONCERT
Saturday, May 6
2pm, $10/8 members
children free

 

 

Family Concert With the Chameleon Arts Esemble:
When this old world was new

Join the Chameleons for an afternoon of exploration and discovery: a lively program of traditional folk tunes from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, transformed into classical chamber music. Followed by an instrument petting zoo with the musicians.

For children age 6 and up, and their famillies. Reservations: 617.524.3354 or
tickets@foresthillstrust.org.

 

   

BIRD WALK
Monday May 8, 6 am
Admission Free

 


Early Morning Bird Walk

Birds find sanctuary, food and shelter in the 250 acres of tranquil green space at Forest Hills, and Lake Hibiscus is a favorite watering hole. Spring is a great time of year to spot many different kinds of birds stopping by during their spring migrations. Join us for an early morning guided walk around the grounds to see who is visiting this year.

Wear comfortable and weatherproof boots or shoes (the morning dew can be wet this time of year). Bring binoculars if you have them, bottled water, and anything else you would find helpful.

Meet at Main Gate. Admission: free. Bird drawing by Katherine Aungier.

   

SPECIAL EVENT:
GREENHOUSE
PLANT SALE

Saturday, May 13
10 am to 2pm


Members and Donors Only

Choose from a colorful selection of annuals flourishing in one of Boston's oldest greenhouses. Expert grower, Brian King, will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Enjoy the company of other gardeners who support the Trust. Patron Members receive a complimentary 8" pot geranium at the sale.

   
FESTIVAL
Friday, May 19 through Sunday May 21
see schedule below

Birds and Bards Festival
Discover three of Boston's most beautiful green spaces, all located at the end of the Emerald Necklace. Celebrate migrating birds, poetry and nature during a weekend of events co-sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition, Franklin Park Zoo, Mass. Audubon's Boston Nature Center, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, and Forest Hills.

Bring a picnic to enjoy outdoors between events. See schedule below.

FESTIVAL
May 19 at Franklin Park Zoo
MBTA: Forest Hills Orange Line station and Bus # 16.
Admission: Free

 

Birds and Bards Festival
Friday Activities at Franklin Park and the Franklin Park Zoo

  • Morning Bird Walk, 7:00 to 9:00 am
    Meet at Franklin Park at Resting Place picnic area across form Shattuck Hospital
  • Kids Activity!
    Rare Species & Conservation Program, 3:00 to 5:00 pm

    Ready for an encounter with rare birds and perhaps an animal or two? Recommended for youths ages 8-14. Meet inside Franklin Park Zoo Main Gate.
  • Dusk Bird Walk, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
    Meet in front of William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse for a family friendly bird walk.
  • Movie: Pale Male Screening, 8:00 pm
    Watch a documentary about a hawk who takes residence in a New York City building.

 

FESTIVAL
Saturday, May 20 at Boston Nature Center
500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan
MBTA: Forest Hills Orange Line Station and Bus # 21 & 31.
Admission: Free

Birds and Bards Festival
Saturday Activities at the Boston Nature Center

  • Morning Bird Walk, 7:00 to 9:00 am
    Enjoy the sights and sounds of migrating birds with Mass. Audubon's Wayne Petersen. Bring binoculars, wear comfortable shoes.
  • Kids Activity! Discovering Live Raptors, 9:00 to 11:00 am
    Program includes continental breakfast!!
  • Boston: A Hub of Bird Migration, 11:00 to 1:00 pm
    Discover the fascinating birds of Boston with Mass. Audubon's Chris Leahy.
  • Looking for Mr. Gilbert: The Reimagined Life of an African-American, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
    John Hanson Mitchell, author and editor of SANCTUARY Magazine, presents the remarkable story of Robert Gilbert, landscape photographer and servant of William Brewster-the first president of Mass. Audubon.

FESTIVAL
Sunday, May 21
at Forest Hills

Meet at Main Gate
Admission: free for walks and treasure hunt. $5 for poetry reading.

Birds and Bards Festival
Sunday Activities at Forest Hills

  • Morning Bird Walk, 7:00 to 9:00 am
    Forest Hills offers a lush oasis to migrating birds each spring. Spot some of them with birding experts Andrew Joslin and Mass. Audubon's Andrew Birch.
  • Sanctuaries in the City, 11:00 to 1:00 pm
    Explore the landscapes of Forest Hills and Olmstead Frankiln Park on a walk interweaving nature, poetry, and birds – both on wing and in sculpture. Visit the grave of e.e. cummings, discover carved doves in Victorian memorial sculpture, and view contemporary art such as Flock of Birds by George Sherwood. The head over to Franklin Park for a walk through some of the feature areas of Olmsted's design, include Scarborough Pond, a favorite stop over for migrating birds. Guided by Alan Banks, Frederick Law Olmstead National Historic Site and Cecily Miller, Forest Hills Educational Trust.
  • Kids Activity! Family Treasure Hunt, 12:30 to 2:00 pm
    Find birds, animals and poetry in art and nature on an expedition to Lake Hibiscus. Performance artist Barbara Michaels leads a fun interactive tour celebrating our new Family Activity Guide. Recommended for ages 6 to 9; must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Poetry Reading, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
    See details below

 

 

   

POETRY
Sunday, May 21
2 pm, $5

Poems of Reawakening
Four oustanding poets reflect themes of reawakening
and renewal in nature, society and the spirit: Rafael Campo, Sarah Hannah, Lainie Senechal and Dan Sklar. Presented with Tapestry of Voices and the Birds and Bards Festival (see above).

   

WALKING TOUR
Sunday, May 28
Meet at Main Gate

2 pm, $8

Memorial Day Tour
What was it like to serve in the Civil War, the American Revolution, and more recent battles? Al Maze’s popular annual walking tour interweaves history with readings from personal accounts of the battlefield drawn from diaries and war letters. Meet at Main Gate. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring drinking water, and be prepared to walk 2 miles of varied terrain. The tour is limited to 75 people on a first come first serve (no reservations).

SPECIAL EVENT:
OPENING RECEPTION

Saturday, June 24
Free

Opening Reception for Dwelling
The Trust's 2006 exhibition, Dwelling: Memory, Architecture and Place, opens with a festive reception. The exhibition will be on view through October 31, 2006. A self-guided tour of the exhibition will be available at the mapstand near the main entrance.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts

 

   
LANTERN FESTIVAL
Thursday, July 13
6 to 9 pm
$10 donation for use of each lantern supports the event
Rain date: July 20

Eighth Annual Lantern Festival
Our memorial Lantern Floating Festival is inspired by an ancient Buddhist ritual in which lanterns representing the souls of the dead are floated out to sea and prayers are offered so that they may rest in peace. Join us for this beautiful ceremony. Inscribe your own words of remembrance and hope on the shades of simple wooden lanterns, and then release them, glimmering with candlelight, onto Lake Hibiscus at dusk.

The evening starts with performances of drumming, dance, and choral music. Hear music by the Samurai drummers of Tsuji Daiko. Enjoy traditional Chinese folk dances presented by students from Showa Boston Institute and Chu Ling Dance Academy. Many people bring a blanket and a picnic and relax while listening to music and watching folk dances.

Please note: bring a flashlight to help guide your exit from the Cemetery, as there is no electrical lighting after dark.

Archive of Past Events sponsored by the Educational Trust

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