Glenwood Cemetery

06/06/2026

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.

05/31/2026

May at Glenwood ☀️🏵️🌻

Thank you for following along through another month of history, nature, and community at Glenwood.✨

05/29/2026

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.

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05/25/2026

05/23/2026

Happy World Turtle Day from a few of Glenwood’s slow and steady residents. 🐢🌿

Red-eared sliders can often be found basking in the sun around Glenwood’s lake and Stream Garden, quietly enjoying one of the many natural spaces throughout the grounds. Native to this region, these turtles are an important part of our local ecosystem and a reminder of the wildlife that calls Glenwood home.

From pollinators to pond life, Glenwood remains a peaceful refuge for both nature and visitors alike.

05/20/2026

Today is World Bee Day, and we’re especially grateful for some of Glenwood’s hardest working residents. 🐝

With seven active hives throughout the property, our bees play an important role in supporting local pollinators, native plants, and the landscape that makes Glenwood such a unique urban habitat. From flowers and trees to the quiet gardens throughout the grounds, their work helps keep our ecosystem thriving.

Here’s to the bees of Glenwood and the small but mighty role they play in Houston’s Silent Garden. 🌿🍯

05/19/2026

A few moments from Saturday’s Liberty Tree Dedication at Glenwood Cemetery in partnership with the Sons of the American Revolution. 🌳 This meaningful ceremony honored the enduring legacy of liberty, remembrance, and those who helped shape our nation’s history. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special dedication.

05/14/2026

In honor of Glenwood Cemetery's 155th anniversary, we are spotlighting one of the oldest records in our archives: the original Index to Glenwood Cemetery.

Created in the late 19th century, this handwritten volume was an essential administrative tool for managing cemetery operations, organizing both lot owners and interments in alphabetical and numerical order. Each entry includes essential details such as section and lot numbers, owner names, and notes on transfers and burials, highlighting how Glenwood recorded ownership and interments before modern databases and standard ledgers.

The Index to Glenwood reflects the operational needs of a growing cemetery in post-Reconstruction Houston. By the 1880s, accurate documentation was essential for managing burial space, lot sales, and family interments. This volume likely emerged alongside other important records from the Houston Cemetery Company, including the Board of Directors Minutes Book (1886–1976) and the bylaws established in 1888. These documents helped formalize Glenwood's long-term governance and administration.

Maintaining records like these ensures that Glenwood's history remains documented, verifiable, and accessible, preserving the stories of those interred here and the cemetery's legacy.

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05/12/2026

Today, Glenwood Cemetery marks 155 years. 💚

Since 1871, Glenwood has been a place of remembrance, reflection, and lasting connection. Generations of families have entrusted this space with the care of their loved ones, and each life remembered here is part of Houston’s story.

These 1907 postcards offer a glimpse into how these grounds were seen over a century ago, capturing spaces that continue to hold meaning today.

As we honor the past, we remain committed to preserving the beauty, history, and dignity of Glenwood while continuing to serve families today.

For 155 years, and for generations to come.

05/10/2026