Docent

The docent program was established in 2004 and has enlisted, trained and scheduled volunteer guides who conduct historical tours lasting 45 - 60 minutes and represent Spring Grove in its community outreach to schools, social groups and civic organizations. Our docents are helpful and friendly to the thousands of visitors who pass through the iron gates of the cemetery each year to attend a tour or special event program.

If you have ever visited Historic Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum and have taken a tour you have met one of our cheerful and enthusiastic docents. What exactly is a docent? The dictionary defines a docent as “a lecturer or tour guide in a museum or art gallery.” A Spring Grove docent is an ambassador for the cemetery and arboretum and volunteers their time for the Spring Grove Heritage Foundation, sharing the history, art, architecture, and landscape of Spring Grove, a “museum without walls.”

The interest and passion about history, art, architecture, and landscape by the docents is infectious and new docents are quickly caught up in an atmosphere which breeds a love for history and its impact on today’s world. Docents receive in-depth training on history, tour materials, tour etiquette and tram operation. Monthly meetings are held to share information and ideas.

To learn more about the Heritage Foundation Docent Program, please contact our Program Coordinator at (513) 853-4941 or email at volunteer@springgrove.org.