Daylight with the Departed: A tour of Lombard Cemetery

Posted October 15, 2025 12:11 am

By Rae Slowik, Lombard Historical Society

The Lombard Cemetery features a gravestone shaped as a tree trunk for Ella Carile Cochran (June 14, 1850-Dec. 14, 1884), wife of James I. Cochran and daughter of A.S. and C.C. Newell. Courtesy of Lombard Historical Society

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Lombard Historical Society presents “Daylight with the Departed: A Tour of Lombard Cemetery,” a daytime tour of the oldest cemetery in town, at 1 p.m.

This 60-minute tour of the Lombard Cemetery is outdoors and covers uneven ground, so wear comfortable shoes — and bring your curiosity! Tickets are $7 or $5 for members.

Join a fascinating walking tour through Lombard Cemetery, the village’s oldest burial ground. Participants will explore unique headstones, uncover the stories of founding families, and learn the meanings behind common (and mysterious) cemetery symbols — including where the phrase “dying to get in” really comes from.

If you’ve been on the tour before, there will be new individuals who will highlighted.

For more information or tickets, visit LombardHistory.org.

A marker in memory of Reuben Mink and his family whose donation of land established the Lombard Cemetery in 1851. Courtesy of Lombard Historical Society

About the Lombard Historical Society

The Lombard Historical Society endeavors to cultivate a deep appreciation and comprehension of our community's rich history. They encourage visitors to delve into the past through interactive exhibitions, educational programming, and gaining insights from the collections. They are committed to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of Lombard's past, inspiring a vibrant and inclusive future.

The historical society operates the Victorian Cottage Museum, the Carriage House, and the society’s archives at 23 W. Maple St. They also manage the Sheldon Peck Homestead, a National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site, 355 E. Parkside Ave. in Lombard.

The Sheldon Peck Homestead offers tours and activities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The Victorian Cottage Museum is open for tours on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1, 2, and 3 p/m. The Carriage House Exhibitions and the Lilac Emporium Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about hours, membership, and volunteer opportunities, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call (630) 629-1885.

The Lombard Cemetery (formerly Babcock's Grove Cemetery) began as a community burial plot in 1851 for Babcock's Grove. Courtesy of Lombard Historical Society