A Historic Adventure: Scavenger Hunt Breathes New Life into Utica’s Forest Hill Cemetery

By David LaGuerre

Utica’s Forest Hill Cemetery is celebrating its 175th anniversary in a truly unexpected way—by hosting a family-friendly scavenger hunt that weaves local history, natural beauty, and civic pride into a single unforgettable event. Scheduled for June 14, 2025, this self-paced adventure offers something rare: a moment to reflect on the past while supporting a brighter future.

With prizes for the first 100 finishers, complimentary charcuterie, and a drawing for all participants who complete the hunt, this $18.50 ticketed experience is more than just a game. It’s a grassroots effort to preserve a sacred piece of Utica’s cultural legacy: the 1868 Childs Chapel, whose restoration the event will help fund.

175 Years of Forest Hill: Where History Sleeps

Founded in 1850, Forest Hill Cemetery is more than just a resting place—it’s a living chronicle of Utica’s civic and political life. Towering trees and winding paths line this tranquil hillside, where generations of families and trailblazers have been buried. The cemetery is perhaps best known as the final resting place of two of New York’s most significant historical figures: U.S. Vice President James Schoolcraft Sherman and former New York Governor Horatio Seymour.

But this cemetery is not frozen in time. Instead, it is evolving—just like Utica itself. Events like the scavenger hunt offer a glimpse into how public spaces can be reimagined not only as places of mourning and remembrance, but also as sites for learning, gathering, and civic engagement.

Why Cemeteries Matter: Beyond the Headstones

At first glance, a scavenger hunt in a cemetery may seem like an unusual way to honor the past. But across the country, there’s a growing movement to redefine how we interact with historic burial grounds. According to the Association for Gravestone Studies, educational and community-based events in cemeteries have surged in recent years as a way to preserve local heritage and foster public stewardship.

This is especially true in smaller cities like Utica, where budget constraints often leave historical landmarks vulnerable. Events like this serve dual purposes: attracting visitors and generating much-needed revenue for preservation. It’s a powerful example of how civic creativity can align with conservation.

And let’s be honest—walking through Forest Hill’s lush greenery while learning about Utica’s past is far more meaningful than scrolling through Wikipedia or watching a documentary. It’s history you can touch, hear, and breathe.

The Chapel, the Cause, and the Community

The heart of this event lies in its mission: raising funds to restore the 1868 Childs Chapel, a gorgeous yet timeworn structure that has watched over generations of burials, services, and silent moments. In many ways, this chapel is a symbol of the community’s resilience and reverence for its own story.

Restoration costs for historic chapels can easily reach into six figures, especially when maintaining architectural integrity. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, preserving 19th-century buildings requires specialized masonry, stained glass repair, and modern climate controls—all without compromising their original design.

By attending the scavenger hunt, participants are not only enjoying a good time—they’re casting a vote for heritage. It’s civic engagement disguised as leisure, and that’s a formula our public institutions need more of.

A Different Kind of Family Fun

For families in and around Central New York, the June 14th event offers a refreshing alternative to screen time and shopping malls. It’s designed to be self-paced, meaning visitors can enjoy the journey without pressure. Youngsters can chase clues while older participants can appreciate the historical markers, architecture, and landscape design.

The organizers have even added a nice touch: complimentary charcuterie and soft drinks, creating a relaxed picnic atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the solemnity of the setting. It’s a reminder that honoring the dead doesn’t mean excluding the living.

And for the first 100 finishers? Prizes. Plus, everyone who completes the event is entered into a bonus drawing. That’s a win for kids, parents, and history buffs alike.

Equity and Access in Local History

Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Events like these also raise important questions about access to history. Who gets to learn about their community’s past? Who feels welcome in public historical spaces?

In cities like Utica—where income inequality, housing instability, and demographic shifts are very real—this kind of open, public event matters. It democratizes access to heritage. No classroom walls. No prerequisites. Just $18.50 and a few hours on a Saturday.

Critics might say even that ticket price is a barrier, especially for lower-income families. That’s a valid concern, and organizers could consider adding a “pay what you can” option in future events. But as it stands, the event is a strong start in reclaiming public space for education and unity.

What We Gain When We Honor the Past

Cemeteries have long been viewed as places of stillness. But in Forest Hill’s scavenger hunt, we see movement—literal and metaphorical. We see a community choosing to engage with its history, to walk alongside its ancestors, and to invest in its architectural and cultural inheritance.

Events like this don’t just preserve buildings. They preserve meaning. In an age where civic knowledge is often shallow and apathy runs deep, even a simple clue hunt can be a tool of reawakening.

Forest Hill’s event reminds us that learning doesn’t always come in classrooms and activism doesn’t always wear a megaphone. Sometimes, it comes as laughter echoing down tree-lined paths, a child reading a historical plaque, or a quiet moment in a restored chapel made possible by neighbors who care.

If that isn’t worth celebrating, what is?

Leave us a comment if you plan to attend—or share a favorite memory of Forest Hill or a loved one buried there. Let’s keep Utica’s stories alive, one step at a time.