🐝 An unexpected discovery!
While removing a dead pine tree, our crew found an active honey bee hive hidden inside the trunk. To safely relocate the colony, we called in @allthingsbeestexas, who also cares for Glenwood's eight other hives.
Working carefully, the team cut the tree into sections and removed the hive while minimizing disturbance to the bees. We're happy to report that the colony was successfully relocated and has now joined the other hives on the property, where it will continue supporting Glenwood's thriving ecosystem.
#GlenwoodCemetery #Houston #HoneyBee #BeeRescue #Pollinators
If you've walked along the southern border of Glenwood Cemetery near Buffalo Bayou, you may have noticed the large retaining walls constructed in July 1922 by contractor Andrew Ness, designed by engineer Herbert A. Kipp (1873–1968). These structures were built in response to Houston's rapid urban growth after World War I, which increased storm runoff and threatened the cemetery's landscape.
To tackle these challenges, Glenwood's board hired Kipp in 1919. He devised a flood control system that included constructing the southern retaining wall, filling in the original decorative lake to create the Lakeview section, and paving roads with asphalt to reduce erosion from 1925 to 1927. Kipp collaborated with the board and the Harris County Flood Control District for decades, and his early 20th-century engineering efforts remain essential to preserving Glenwood's historic sanctuary.
#HoustonHistory #GlenwoodCemetery #HistoricPreservation #CivilEngineering #HoustonHeritage #BuffaloBayou #HerbertKipp #AndrewNess
The beauty of Glenwood's landscape is the result of ongoing care, preservation, and stewardship.🌿
Support from Glenwood Circle members helps sustain the gardens, green spaces, and historic grounds that make Glenwood a special place for visitors throughout the year. Membership also includes exclusive invitations to special events, with our first members-only gathering coming up in August 🍯🐝
Learn more about becoming a member at the link in our bio.
#GlenwoodCemetery #GlenwoodCircle #Houston #HistoricHouston #HistoricPreservation #GardenCemetery
☀️ Happy Summer Solstice!
Today marks the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. It is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the season. Across Glenwood, lush gardens and vibrant blooms reflect the abundance of summer and offer a peaceful place for quiet moments of reflection.
Wishing everyone a season filled with sunshine, nature, and time to enjoy the world around you.
#GlenwoodCemetery #SummerSolstice #Houston #HoustonNature
This week is #PollinatorWeek! 🐝🌼
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife are essential to healthy ecosystems, helping flowering plants reproduce and supporting the biodiversity around us.
At Glenwood, our gardens and green spaces provide important habitat and seasonal blooms for these hardworking visitors. Even small actions, like planting native flowers, can help protect pollinators for future generations.
#PollinatorWeek #ProtectPollinators #Bees #NativePlants #HoustonNature #GlenwoodCemetery #Houston #WildlifeWednesday
In the spirit of #FlagDay, we take time to reflect on the various ways we remember: through history, symbols, and sometimes through art.
At Glenwood Cemetery, the grave of Anne Cox Koehler (1954–2006) features a striking modern sculpture titled "Knotted Sheet (for Anne)," created in 2008 by artist Joseph Havel, a post-modernist sculptor and the former Director of the Glassell School of Art. Commissioned by her husband, Ed Koehler, this piece honors Anne's lifelong passion for the arts and her deep connection to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where she served as both a docent and the President of the Museum Guild.
At first glance, the sculpture may appear unexpected in a historic cemetery landscape. However, much like a flag, it invites us to pause and reflect on the legacy that a person leaves behind.
Anne was a trailblazer: a Rice University graduate, a Georgetown Law alumna, and the first female partner at her law firm in Houston. Her monument is not merely a marker of her resting place; it is a lasting tribute to a life characterized by strength, intellect, and beauty.
As we move beyond Flag Day, let us honor the stories that continue to unfold, woven into our city, our history, and even into the art found in our cemeteries.
#glenwoodcemetery #sculpture #cemeteryart #historiccemeteries #annecoxkoehler #josephhavel #archives #flagday
In honor of Flag Day, we are highlighting a book from our archives: A Concise History of Early Texas — As Told by Its 30 Historic Flags. This book explores the story of early Texas through the flags that have flown over the region, each representing a distinct era of identity, conflict, settlement, and change.
From colonial powers to revolutionary movements, these flags serve as more than just symbols; they are visual reminders of how Texas evolved into what it is today. Flag Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the rich history that can be conveyed through a single design, color, or emblem. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply curious about Texas's complex past, this book offers a unique and engaging way to learn more.
#FlagDay #TexasHistory #HistoricFlags #EarlyTexas #BookFeature #GlenwoodCemetery #Archives #History
In honor of Women's Veterans Day, we recognize Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby, a pioneering leader whose service helped redefine the role of women in the United States military.
Appointed by General George C. Marshall in 1942, Colonel Hobby became the first director of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), which later became the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Under her leadership, more than 150,000 women served in essential noncombat roles during World War II, working as mechanics, radio operators, clerks, drivers, cryptographers, and in countless other positions that strengthened the war effort. She was instrumental in developing the standards, training programs, and organizational structure that established women as an indispensable part of the U.S. Army.
For her exceptional service, Colonel Hobby was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, and her leadership helped pave the way for future generations of women in the armed forces.
Today, on Women's Veterans Day, we honor Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby and all women veterans whose courage, dedication, and service have left a lasting impact on our nation.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Signal Corps, Harry S. Truman Library & Museum.
#GlenwoodCemetery #WomensVeteransDay #Ovetaculphobby #hobbyfamily #houston #houstonhistory #wac
Small but surprisingly clever, the Green Heron is one of the few bird species known to use tools. These resourceful hunters have been observed dropping insects, feathers, and even bits of bread onto the water’s surface to lure fish within striking distance.
Most often found stalking prey along the edges of ponds, streams, and wetlands, Green Herons typically hunt in shallow water. However, they are also capable swimmers and have been seen paddling impressive distances when pursuing prey.
After nesting season, many Green Herons disperse in search of new feeding grounds. While most stay close to home, some adventurous individuals have traveled far beyond their normal range, appearing in places as distant as England and France.
📸 Have you spotted a Green Heron at Glenwood?
#GlenwoodCemetery #GreenHeron #WildlifeWednesday #Houston
International Archives Day is celebrated on June 9th, marking the founding of the International Council on Archives (ICA) in 1948. This day emphasizes the importance of records management and long-term preservation.
At Glenwood, we believe that preserving the lived experiences of those who shaped Texas is a vital act of remembrance. To demonstrate our commitment to accessibility, we have achieved a significant milestone: migrating over 1,500 archival entries into our new digital collections management system over the past year.
By expanding digital access, we are ensuring that the subthemes of Accountability, Memory, Inclusion, Colonial Legacies, and Future Justice are more than just concepts; they are central to our daily work.
Explore Glenwood's history through our digital archives today!
#glenwoodcemetery #archivesforjustice #internationalarchivesday #iaw2026 #digitalarchives #internationalcouncilofarchives #archives #history #houston
Born in Ohio, Dr. Ethel Lyon Heard began her career as a nurse before earning her medical degree from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. By 1909, she was practicing medicine in Galveston, where she met fellow physician Dr. Allen G. Heard. The two married in 1910 and returned to Galveston, dedicating their lives to medicine, public service, and civic leadership.
During World War I, Ethel served with the Red Cross in France while Allen served in the U.S. Medical Corps, earning the British Military Cross for bravery in action. After the war, they continued their medical careers in Austin and later Houston, where they practiced together until Allen’s death in 1926.
Today, their remarkable story is remembered at Glenwood through Solitude in Caen, the striking sculpture Ethel commissioned after Allen’s death as a tribute to the sacrifices and sorrows of World War I.
#GlenwoodCemetery #NotableInterred #Houston #Galveston #HoustonHistory #WWI #cemetery
May at Glenwood ☀️🏵️🌻
Thank you for following along through another month of history, nature, and community at Glenwood.✨
#GlenwoodCemetery #GardenCemetery #Houston #HistoricHouston #HoustonHistory
Featured here is a historic view of Glenwood’s entrance, a reminder that places of beauty, history, and remembrance endure through continued stewardship.
The Glenwood Circle supports the ongoing preservation and care of Houston’s Silent Garden while offering members exclusive invitations and opportunities to connect more deeply with Glenwood’s mission and history.
Join the circle and help preserve Glenwood for generations to come.
Link in bio.
#GlenwoodCemetery #GlenwoodCircle #Preservation #Houston #HistoricHouston #HoustonHistory
Holiday Announcement: Glenwood will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the 4th of July. We'll reopen on Monday, July 6th, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note that Cemetery gates will close at 5:30 p.m. on July 4th.