Few things in Des Moines are as old and contain more history than the grassy knolls and stately trees of Woodland Cemetery. The stories told by the monuments and headstones combine to form the history of the city as it has passed through civil and world wars, epidemics and natural disasters as well as the normal course of birth, life, and death. Passing through the narrow drives of the cemetery, you see stone etchings of the names of many citizens from our past who helped build Des Moines and are now a part of everyday life in our city's landscape, street and building names like Savery, Kenworthy, Ingersoll, Hubbell, Kaplan, Teachout, Fleur, Redhead, Polk, Sherman and Crocker.
In 1848, area farmers on the outskirts of the city donated the first 5½ acres for Woodland Cemetery; today it includes 65 acres. Woodland eventually became an often times forgotten part of the city's inner core, remembered only by neighboring residents, genealogists and distant relatives of the thousands of people buried in the park.
Archie Cook, a local historian/researcher/educator, will be providing tours on:
April 24, 2021
May 22, 2021
June 26, 2021
July 24, 2021
August 28, 2021
September 18, 2021
October 9, 2021
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Floral arrangement are available for purchase in our office. Purchases may also be made over the phone by credit card.
View floral arrangement gallery
We offer burial options to meet everyone's needs.
Click on each cemetery below to learn about its history:
Our cemeteries offer a wide-range of volunteer opportunities.
You'll find information about current opportunities HERE.
Donate:
Friends of Des Moines Parks
Woodland Restoration Project
Des Moines Parks and Recreation is joining the national “Wreaths Across America” campaign. Woodland Cemetery has been chosen as an official location for 2019, amongst our seven municipal cemeteries.
Support is needed to fund over 700 wreaths placed to remember and honor our veterans on “National Wreaths Across America Day” December 14. Sponsorship levels include:
- 1 Wreath Individual Sponsorship ($15)
- 2 Wreaths ($30.00)
- 5 Wreaths ($75.00) *Most Popular
- 10 Wreaths ($150.00)
- Custom Number of Wreaths
Sign up to be a volunteer! Individuals are needed to lay wreaths on Wreaths Day and raise funds for wreaths sponsorships.
Click here to sponsor a wreath at Woodland or to volunteer.
Volunteer Sign-Up
Wreaths Across America Return To Play Protocol
Here are some pictures of the City of Des Moines Cemeteries.
Cemetery Search
