laurel hill cemetery

Laurel Hill Cemetery, located in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, is the final resting place for many prominent and historic Philadelphia area families. The Victorian-era cemetery is one of the few "garden style" architecturally designed cemeteries in the U.S. and was the first to be designated a National Historic Landmark. The cemetery features elaborate memorials including sculptures, mausoleums and markers, some designed by well-known artists.

In the early 1980s, The Friends of Laurel Hill (FLH) organizations was founded to help raise funds to maintain and renovate the cemetery, and achieve the National Historic Landmark designation. Despite success in these objectives, the cemetery remained one of Philadelphia's best-kept artistic secrets. In 2003, FLH hired FSMS to develop and implement a strategy to increase recognition of the cemetery (as well as its sister location – West Laurel Hill in Bala Cynwyd) and to promote their historical and educational value to both local residents and tourists.

FSMS leveraged an existing series of special events – including Halloween Tours, Spring Promenade and General Meade birthday celebration – as a way to garner media attention and increase public awareness about the cemeteries. In the past 12 months, coverage has been generated in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, WPVI-TV 6, WCAU-TV 10 and KYW Newsradio 1060. Event attendance and Friends membership have both increased significantly.