Monday, September 8, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Laurel Hill West
225 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Join the Lower Merion Conservancy and the Association for Preservation Technology – Delaware Valley Chapter for an early-fall tour of the Receiving Vaults at the historic Laurel Hill West in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion Township. The receiving vaults, the earliest of which were built in 1871, functioned as temporary places of rest for deceased persons who were eventually interred at the cemetery. Built into a hillside of the cemetery, these stone vaults were engineered to store bodies in cool and dry conditions.
These stylish buildings—Egyptian and Gothic Revival in style—are now in need of restoration. On our tour, cemetery staff will discuss a recent conditions assessment created for the vaults as well as a future plans for preserving these landmark buildings. As a bonus, they will also bring us inside a few of the cemetery’s mot architecturally significant historic mausoleums. The tour will be limited to 25 people and will last approximately one hour.
When you enter the cemetery, follow signs to the Conservatory, where we will meet up for the tour. Please wear closed toe shoes. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver from Laurel Hill West.