More than 25,000 people are buried in the cemetery, including seven governors, five US Senators and eight NC Supreme Court Chief Justices.
A wreath laying ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm.
Today kicks off a year of commemoration at Oakwood with the theme: "For Generations to Come."
RELATED: The story behind Raleigh's Historic Oakwood Cemetery
The cemetery, which sits on 72 acres off Oakwood Avenue, was once considered in the "suburbs" of downtown Raleigh.
Oakwood is a private, non-profit resting place, open to all and run by a Board of Directors.
RELATED: Buried stories: Historic mothers of Oakwood Cemetery