History Comes Alive: Author Adam Selzer Leads a Literary Tour Through Graceland Cemetery

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Graceland West · March 28, 2026

Graceland West's iconic eastern landmark got a fresh spotlight last Sunday when author and Chicago historian Adam Selzer led a special guided tour through the grounds of Graceland Cemetery — a rare blend of local literary culture and neighborhood heritage that drew history buffs and curious neighbors alike.

The event, which took place on March 22nd at 11:00 AM, invited participants to explore the storied 121-acre cemetery arboretum through the lens of one of Chicago's most prolific chroniclers of the weird, wonderful, and historically rich. Graceland Cemetery, long known as the 'Cemetery of Architects,' is the final resting place of Chicago legends who shaped the city's skyline and culture — making it a natural stage for a deep-dive storytelling experience right in Graceland West's backyard. The cemetery is a certified arboretum renowned for its landscape architecture and pastoral Victorian setting, a green sanctuary that neighbors walk past every day but rarely get to fully explore through a guided narrative lens.

Events like Selzer's tour are a reminder of just how much living history exists within Graceland West's borders — and how vibrant the neighborhood's cultural calendar continues to be. If you missed this one, keep an eye on gracelandwest.org and @graceland_west_gwca on Instagram for future neighborhood events that celebrate the community's remarkable story.

Sources:
1. https://allevents.in/chicago/books
2. https://www.homes.com/local-guide/chicago-il/graceland-west-neighborhood/