Tour leader and JCGC’s first Executive Director David Houget shares Walnut Hills history on a walking tour of the Walnut Hills Cemetery in November 2022
By Julia Olson
Assistant Editor
Sue Susskind, Executive Director of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) will lead a discussion on the history of Cincinnati’s Jewish cemeteries on Wednesday, January 22, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Mayerson JCC.
The JCGC currently manages 23 Jewish cemeteries in the Cincinnati area, consisting of about 35,000 graves. This includes fascinating sites like the Chestnut Street Cemetery, which, according to the JCGC website, is the oldest Jewish Cemetery west of the Allegheny mountains. It was first opened in 1821 and closed in 1849 after an influx of burials due to the cholera epidemic filled the available plots.
Another memorable Jewish cemetery in Cincinnati is the Walnut Hills Cemetery. Walnut Hills Cemetery was designed by the same man responsible for the design of Spring Grove Cemetery, Adolph Strauch. The ground was consecrated in 1850 and is home to the graves of many famous CIncinnatians, such as Murray Seasongood, Cincinnati mayor, and many HUC presidents, including Julian Morgenstern and famed archaeologist Nelson Glueck. HUC’s first ever female student, Julia Ettlinger, is also interred there.
The JCGC organization provides a robust archive of information about Jewish Cincinnati with no shortage of interesting facts and surprising details. Those interested in attending the event can register on the Mayerson JCC website. This event is only open to members of the J or members of the 60 & Better Center.
