10/15/2018
Jim Evancho
On October 21, 2018 the Jacksonville Library will be hosting an event called the Cemetery Stroll at the Jacksonville City Cemetery on Church Street. The City of Jacksonville is proud to be the only participating library, in Calhoun County, providing this educational and fun day to learn more about the local history.
This year will be the second of a three year plan started by the Alabama Public Library Service to garner attention to the library systems prior to the Alabama Bicentennial.
The Cemetery Stroll is designed to allow visitors to casually walk through the City Cemetery and meet some of the descendants that have lived in this area dating back to the 1800’s. Each family member or actor that has agreed to portray a historical figure will have a story to tell; some will be entertaining and others may be more serious, its up to the visitor to decide. Actors will be dressed in full period costumes and located near the grave site of the historical person and will be sure to point out the exact location when you stop by and see them.
Last year there over 160 people that attended this fun and free event, and more are expected this year. Each person is supplied with a map of the cemetery that shows where each grave is located and how to find the actors responsible for representing them. There is not time limit to spend on this walking tour and interaction with the actors is encouraged.
Each volunteer actor has taken their personal time to research the historical person they are representing and create an informational speech that lasts 5-7 minutes. They also work very hard to create period correct costumes and portray the person’s personality throughout their message. This year there may even be someone related to a serial killer that once lived here in Jacksonville.
If you are interested in donating to this great event the Library still needs bottled water, cash for expenses, and canopy’s/tents for the actors (they will be returned when the event is complete). Please stop by and talk to Barbra Rowell, Kathleen Ronan, or Christy Wallace.
The Jacksonville Journal will be putting out a series of articles this week, leading up to the main event.
