Bonaventure Cemetery

Before you dismiss visiting the Bonaventure Cemetery as a dead attraction (sorry!), please read on. Maybe its history and notoriety will bring your desire…back to life. 

Before it became a popular attraction, it was the Bonaventure Plantation of British Colonel John Mullryne in 1762. 

The 600-acre estate "Bonaventure," which means "good fortune," is home to a breathtaking view of  Wilmington River and has moss-laden oak driveways and paths. 

Mullryne and his son-in-law, Josiah Tattnall, were Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, aiding the escape of Royal Governor James Wright in 1776. During the 1779 Siege of Savannah, Bonaventure became a hospital.

By 1802, a family burial plot had been established, laying the foundation for what would later become a cemetery. Sadly, the mansion burned down in 1804, but you can find its former location at Plantation Square at the cemetery.  

The land was sold in 1846, and 70 acres were made into the Evergreen Cemetery. The final change occurred in 1907, when it was renamed Bonaventure Cemetery.

So, what's so exciting about visiting a graveyard? For starters, many notable residents of Savannah are here. These icons include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken and lyricist Johnny Mercer. 

If famous people aren't of interest, the sculptures, statuary, and lush gardens throughout may be your ticket. These range from personal tributes, reflect regional craftsmanship, and have rich stories about the people they represent.

Another reason to visit is that its location makes it easy to combine with a visit to Tybee Island. While the cemetery's location is remote, a hearty meal is never far away. Nearby is Erica Davis Low Country, while Pier 16 is on Tybee Island.

If you're still not convinced to visit, perhaps our next section will do the job. 

Bonaventure Cemetery: Fun Facts & Cool Features

A fun musical note is that Johnny Mercer's lyrics to "Moon River" were based on childhood memories of a full moon over the Savannah waterway of the same name. The music was composed by Henry Mancini for the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, which won Mancini and Mercer the Oscar for Best Original Song.

Pulling at the heartstrings is the Little Gracie Watson monument. She was the daughter of a hotel manager in Savannah and was loved by all. Gracie's joyful personality and youthful zeal won the hearts of hotel visitors. But in 1889, at the age of six, she passed from Scarlet Fever. Sculptor John Walz used a photograph of Gracie to capture her radiant smile and youthful innocence. Inspired by her story,  visitors leave flowers, toys, and coins at her monument. 

The cemetery's popularity skyrocketed after the non-fiction 1994 novel and subsequent film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil were popular. Visitors worldwide come to walk the hallowed grounds where scenes from the movie were filmed. For the ultimate experience, combine with a tour of the Mercer Williams House Museum, where the alleged murder took place.

Nature lovers will appreciate the Spanish moss dangling from tree limbs and the blooming flowers. Along with the visually stunning monuments and memorials, it's easy to see why it's "One of the world's most beautiful cemeteries."

Yes, the Bonaventure Cemetery has graves, but it is also a treasure trove of stories to discover and beauty to absorb on your Savannah getaway.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions from downtown Savannah to Bonaventure Cemetery:

• Head east toward East Broad Street.
• Turn left onto Presidents Street.
• Follow for 2.5 miles.
• Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue; continue for 1.5 miles.
• Turn left onto Wheaton Street; it becomes Bonaventure Road.
• Address: 330 Bonaventure Road, Savannah, GA 31404.

Cost

Below are the costs of visiting Bonaventure Cemetery:

• There is no entrance fee to the cemetery.
• Free guided tours are on the second weekend of every month, beginning at 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday. 
• The guidebook at the visitor center is free, but donations are appreciated.
• A three-dimensional map is available for $8.

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.