Cemetery Event Short Calendar Published January 2026, subject to change and additions. Unless stated meet at Cemetery Administration Building for all programs.
Sunday February 1st – 1pm - ‘Sunday Saunter’ - ‘St Bridgids Day’ / ‘Tu BiShvat’ Boundary Hike
Sunday February 27th – 1pm - ‘Sunday Saunter’ - The Old Circle – Trees, ‘Witch Hazel’ and History
Saturday March 7th, 9am – Celtic Calling 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk. Sign up: https://runsignup.com/Race/WV/Charleston/CelticCallingFriendsOfSpringHillCemeteryKKiltRunKWalk
Tuesday March 10th, 5.30pm and every Tuesday up to Oct. 27th - - Cemetery Walking and Running Group
Thursday March 26th, 6.30pm: Blooming Magnolia’, Arboretum and History Walk
Thursday, April 9th, 6-7pm: Ornamental and Native Small Trees for the Garden’, Talk and Powerpoint Presentation at Kanawha County Main Library, Room 311, 121 Capitol Street.
Thursday April 23rd at 6.30pm: Arboretum Walk – Old Circle. Part of the Kanawha Garden Club’s promotion of the City Wide, ‘Appalachian Spring’, Tree Planting Project.
Saturday April 25th 1.30pm: Kids Crafts, Habitat Advice, 2pm – Three Rivers Avian Center present a live bird education program, Bird Walk follows.
Thursday May21st at 6.30pm – Arboretum /History Walk
June – October, Mondays at 9am unless it’s a holiday – Walk with a view, history and tree walk to introduce you to different areas of the Cemetery.
Saturday September 12th at 11am – ‘Monarch Butterfly Day, 22nd Anniversary Celebration’, Kids games, nature walk, explore the garden. Noon – Butterfly Release by ‘Butterflies by Heather’.
Sunday in October – Founders Feather and Flora TBA
Sunday October 25th – All of the Colors Trail Race
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Sunday February 1st – 1pm
Sunday Saunter - ‘St Bridgid’s Day’ / Tu BiShvat Boundary Hike
This 3-mile hike will skirt the cemetery’s boundary edge woodlands. We will learn tree lore and learn to identify some of the trees along our way. We will dip into the Cemetery and pass some graves of people who shaped Charleston’s history. This will be challenging hike, with over 800ft of elevation gain, and woodland trails. You will be rewarded with some amazing views up and down the Kanawha Valley and perhaps some surprising wildlife and bird sightings. There are several points along the way where you will be able to cut your hike short. Wear suitable clothing and perhaps bring a snack.
Hike Rating: Difficult
Multiple Surface: Woodland single track, grass and gravel
Slope/Grade: Multiple steep slopes, over 800ft of elevation
Obstacles: Roots, rocks, logs, creek crossings
Meet at the Office Administration Building.
St. Brigid's Day, celebrated on February 1st, marks the beginning of spring (Imbolc) and honors Ireland's female patron saint, St. Brigid of Kildare, blending ancient Celtic traditions with Christian faith, featuring activities like making rush crosses for protection, visiting holy wells, and celebrating fertility, new life, and hope. It's a national holiday in Ireland, honoring her as a founder of monasteries, a healer, and a symbol of renewal.
On February 1, 2026, Jewish observance is Tu BiShvat, the "New Year for Trees," beginning at sunset on Sunday, February 1st, and continuing into Monday, February 2nd, marking the 15th of Sh'vat 5786, a day celebrating nature, planting, and rebirth.
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Sunday February 27th – 1pm - Sunday Saunter - The Old Circle – Trees, ‘Witch Hazel’ and History
An appreciation of trees and shrubs in the winter landscape, as well as sharing some of the history of people buried and monuments in the Old Circle. We may be lucky to see some of the newly planted Witch hazels in bloom.
Winter lays a garden or landscape bare and allows you to pick out some details that can be missed in the summer. This walk will reveal and show trees and shrubs in a different light.
Walk Distance: 1mile
Walk Rating: Easy
Surface: Pavement
Slope/Grade: Mild slopes
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Saturday March 7th, 9am: 10th Celtic Calling Gathering and Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum: 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk:
Charleston’s most scenic run/walk takes place in the historic Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum. It’s a rolling course of discovery with flora and fauna and monuments to historic founders of the city; and beautiful views over the Kanawha Valley. The sound of Bagpipes will welcome you and spur you on around the course. Kilts and Celtic attire are optional but add to the occasion. Sign up: https://runsignup.com/Race/WV/Charleston/CelticCallingFriendsOfSpringHillCemeteryKKiltRunKWalk
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Tuesday March 10th, 5.30pm and every Tuesday up to Oct. 27th
Cemetery Walking and Running Group.
Come and enjoy over 5 miles of internal paved quiet roads in beautiful Spring Hill Cemetery, Park and Arboretum.
Modeled on Park Run US, but not affiliated, this is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, or run, a 5k or as much as you can manage on as flat a course as the Cemetery allows. You will get to enjoy great scenery and views. This will not be a timed event but you are welcome to run against your own watch. You can test yourself or enjoy the company of an encouraging group. Everyone is welcome to come along. Brochures sharing information about Charleston's history and the trees in the arboretum will be available for walkers.
This is a recurring event every Tuesday, until the end of October.
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Thursday March 26th, 6.30pm – ‘Blooming Magnolia’ Arboretum and History Walk.
A leisurely stroll taking in Magnolia’s in bloom and historic graves.
Walk Distance: 1mile
Walk Rating: Easy
Surface: Pavement
Slope/Grade: Mild slopes
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Thursday, April 9th, 6-7pm: ‘Ornamental and Native Small Trees for the Garden’
Kanawha County Main Library, Room 311, 121 Capitol Street.
Join Spring Hill Cemetery Arborist Chris Higgins for a PowerPoint presentation of some of the trees growing in the Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum that are a great fit for small gardens. Trees can be found and seen subsequently at the Cemetery by using digital and paper maps on a tree walk. www.ratriearboretum
Talk will take place in Room 311A, KCPL, Main Library on Capitol Street. Parking Garage is free on Summers Street after 5pm, and if you park on 3rd floor, there is a bridge over Quarrier Street to Library.
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Thursday April 24th at 6.30pm: Arboretum Walk – Old Circle
Part of the Municipal Beautification Committee and Kanawha Garden Club’s promotion of the City Wide Tree Planting Project ‘Appalachian Spring’. In this month that features Arbor Day and Earth Day, an evening walk in the Old Circle with an emphasis on trees. We will take note of 2 WV Champion Trees and other mature specimens, newly planted witch hazels, dogwood and viburnums. We will take note of management practices to remove invasive species, improve bird habitat and protect plantings from deer. This will be a fun and informative walk for anyone interested in the trees in the www.ratriearboretum.com
Walk Distance: 1mile
Walk Rating: Easy
Surface: Pavement
Slope/Grade: Mild slopes
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Thursday May 21st – Arboretum /History Walk
We will visit the Butterfly Garden and surrounding area.
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Monday, June – October, unless it’s a holiday, 9am– Walk with a View
The weekly walks with a view will introduce you to Charleston history, decorative monuments, selected landscape features, trees and shrubs and much more. Meet at the Mausoleum/Office Administration Building. We may drive from there to a different starting point. Walks will change weekly and will consider walkers’ interests and abilities. Please call 304 348 8010 for more details, and if you would like to arrange a group tour on a different day.
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Saturday Sept. 12th, Monarch Butterfly Celebration and Release– ‘Monarch Butterfly Day, 22nd Anniversary Celebration’, Kids games, nature walk, explore the garden. Noon – Butterfly Release by ‘Butterflies by Heather’.
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Sunday in October TBA 1-4pm: Annual ‘Founders, Feathers and Flora’ as part of FestivFall – Re-enactors and more. Details to be announced.
Sunday Oct.25th, 2pm: 4M Trail Race and Hike
December – Holiday Wreath Workshop
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Program Sponsored by Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission