Glenwood Cemetery

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Glenwood Cemetery

Since it was established in 1871, Glenwood Cemetery has been recognized as one of Houston’s special landmarks.

www.glenwoodcemetery.org

Office Hours:
Mon – Fri from 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Gates Open:
Daily from 7 AM – 5:30 PM

11/21/2025

Something’s Brewing at the Glenwood Greenhouse!🌿☕

Our horticulture team is hard at work crafting a special blend known as compost tea, a nutrient-rich, all-natural elixir that helps keep the plants and flowers at Glenwood thriving.

Compost tea is exactly what it sounds like: a “brew” made by steeping a bag of high-quality compost in water. As it bubbles, beneficial microorganisms and nutrients are released into the liquid, creating a powerful tonic for healthy soil and vibrant plants.

When this compost tea is used to water the gardens and grounds around Glenwood, it helps strengthen plants’ natural defenses against disease, enhances root growth, and promotes lush, long-lasting beauty throughout the year.

11/19/2025

The Io Moth (Automeris io), also known as the peacock moth, is one of the many stunning silk moths you can spot here at Glenwood.

This bright yellow beauty is a male; females are typically brown. Both display those striking eye spots on their wings - a clever trick to startle predators.

Swipe to the last slide to see the full-grown caterpillar! Its spines can cause a sting similar to a bee’s, just one of its many defenses against hungry predators.

Adult Io moths emerge in late spring or summer and live only a week or two, focusing entirely on reproduction. They don’t feed after metamorphosis, dedicating their short lives to the next generation.

Once common across North America, their numbers have declined in recent years, making each sighting even more special. 💛

11/16/2025

The Belvedere at Glenwood lives up to its name - belvedere means “beautiful view,” and this spot offers just that. A perfect place to slow down and soak in the scenery this Sunday. 🌿🌸

11/13/2025

This photograph, taken in the late 1960s or early 1970s, captures one of Glenwood Cemetery's early walking tours at the Henke family mausoleum. Even today, more than fifty years later, we continue this tradition by welcoming visitors to stroll among the monuments and discover the stories of Houston's past.

Our walking tours have evolved over the years, but the essence remains unchanged. What began as small, informal gatherings has transformed into curated experiences that connect art, landscape, and memory. For many years, we have proudly partnered with Preservation Houston, sharing Glenwood's architecture and history with generations of Houstonians through these programs.

Recently, we were honored to host members of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Library and Archive, as well as the William J. Hill Texas Artisans & Artists Archive, for a special tour in October, which included a behind-the-scenes archive presentation. Together, we explored Glenwood's ongoing digitization efforts, preservation projects, and the enduring artistry that defines the cemetery's landscape.

🌿 Then and now, we walk the same paths and share the same stories, continuing a legacy of education, preservation, and community amongst Houston’s Silent Garden. 🥀

11/10/2025

🎉 Celebrating Thomas Howe Scanlan — Houston’s Civic Visionary 🎂
Today, we celebrate the legacy of Thomas Howe Scanlan (1832–1906), a key figure in Houston's early history. Born in Ireland, he settled in Houston and served as Mayor from 1870 to 1873 during the Reconstruction era. Scanlan was a visionary leader who modernized the city through projects such as a new City Hall, street paving, and improved drainage systems.

Beyond his political contributions, Scanlan was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting Catholic education and various charitable causes. His enduring influence is reflected in the Scanlan Foundation, established by his daughters in 1947 to continue their family's commitment to faith and service.

Today, Scanlan rests at Glenwood Cemetery, remembered as a leader who helped transform Houston into a vibrant metropolis. On his birthday, let's honor his significant impact on the city's spirit and his family's ongoing dedication to community service.

11/07/2025

🌿 Discover Glenwood: A Hidden Gem of Green Space 🌳
Nestled in the heart of our community, Glenwood offers a peaceful escape into nature. With its winding paths, towering trees, and breathtaking views, it’s the perfect place to walk, explore, or simply pause and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors.

Originally envisioned as a space for the living, Glenwood continues to honor that mission today by welcoming visitors to explore its 88 acres of scenic grounds, take part in educational programs, and experience the rich history preserved within its landscape. From the gentle calls of morning birds to the golden light of sunset, Glenwood reminds us of the importance of protecting and cherishing our local green spaces. 💚

11/05/2025

The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) stands out from most turtles due to its unique soft, flat, and leathery shell. It features a long, piglike snout and fully webbed feet - adaptations that make it an excellent swimmer and hunter.

This species inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and bayous with sandy or muddy bottoms. Spiny softshell turtles spend much of their lives in the water and often bury themselves in the substrate to ambush prey or to hibernate during the colder months.

Native to central North America, their range extends from parts of the Great Lakes region through the Midwest and into northern Mexico. Females are significantly larger than males, reaching shell lengths of up to about 2 feet . In the wild, these turtles can live for as long as 50 years.

11/03/2025

This small headstone marks the resting place of Emanuel Lucia (1900–1901), a life just shy of one year. His headstone is adorned with a beautiful porcelain photograph, forever capturing the image of a peaceful infant wrapped lovingly in soft, white fabric, nestled gently above his name and the words "Our Beloved Son."

At the dawn of the 20th century, post-mortem photography became a poignant way for grieving families to preserve images of their loved ones. In an era before personal cameras, these portraits served as cherished keepsakes, capturing the essence of those who had passed and providing families with a tangible connection to their brief lives. Far from morbid, these photographs were acts of love and remembrance.

Often encased in delicate porcelain or enamel ovals and sometimes affixed directly to gravestones under glass, these photographs have transformed into hauntingly beautiful remnants of the past. They encapsulate the intimate expressions of loss that have endured through more than a century of Texas sun and rain.

Now, more than a hundred years later, Emanuel's portrait still gazes softly through time. It stands as a touching reminder that love and memory remain eternal, even in silence.

10/31/2025

Autumn has long been a season to remember, honor, and celebrate those who came before us. From the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked a time when the living and the dead were thought to be close, to Allhallowtide, including All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, people have gathered in cemeteries to light candles, tend graves, and offer prayers. In Hispanic communities, Día de los Mu***os turns cemeteries into spaces of color, music, and joy, reminding us that remembrance can be both reflective and celebratory. Across centuries and cultures, these traditions show how cemeteries have always been more than resting places. They are spaces of connection, memory, and community. 🕯️🍂💀🌼

10/29/2025

🕷️Spider spotlight🕷️

Often met with shivers, these creatures are more than eerie silhouettes in the dark. Wolf spiders prowl the soil and pathways, while orb-weavers stretch their silken snares across ironwork and branches. Each one quietly keeps insect populations in check, maintaining the delicate rhythm of life that hums through the grounds.

Both haunting and essential, the spiders of Glenwood remind us that even in places shaped by history and memory, nature is always at work - weaving its own stories in silk. 🕸️

Address

2525 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX
77007

Telephone

+17138647886

Website

http://www.glenwoodcemetery.org/

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