The idea of visiting a cemetery might give you a sad or eerie feeling, but one group says it should inspire wonder and curiosity.

Members of the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association and Morningside Cultural Trails host educational walks through Syracuse's Oakwood Cemetery.

They say you can learn about species of trees, architecture, and history — all in one place. That's why they're encouraging all generations to visit and learn from the last.

"It is a place of death of course where people are buried but they still remain alive with their monuments and you see the monuments and you can say, ‘Well who is this person?’" said Karl Orlick, of the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association.

"It's a place to celebrate people's lives. I think there's this idea that because they were people and they're not alive, it's sad, but I think a lot of their graves say otherwise. Like there's a lot of hope," said Virginia Weiser, volunteer and SUNY ESF student. 

The preservationist said the cemetery comes alive with information, telling people's stories.

"It's fun even if you don't know who the people are just to walk around and look at the stones and artistry and wonder how in the world people put these things up," said Orlick.