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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – In anticipation for this year’s spooky season, the Fenton History Center is celebrating with their 17th annual fundraiser, the Saints and Sinners tours through Jamestown’s Lakeview Cemetery.
Participants tour the cemetery either by foot or horse drawn carriage, hearing tales of Lakeview’s “residents” through the spooky atmosphere.
“We try to highlight some of the more interesting residents of Lakeview Cemetery,“ explained Curator of the Fenton History Center Victoria Parker. “Saints and Sinners, somebody that did something really impressive, but also people that maybe died in an interesting way, or had some sort of really cool story to tell.”
Starting October 1, participants will learn more about those within the cemetery while interacting with actors as the tour guides point out interesting details about Lakeview’s inhabitants.
“We have tour guides that take you around,“ stated Parker. “The tour guides cover some of the big names. You might walk past Lucy, or Grace Galloway, the lady in glass.”
In addition to the Saints and Sinners tours, the History Center will also have a mausoleum tour on Sunday, October 9 starting at 8 p.m.
“Officially the Mausoleum and more tour, so we have guides take you around the cemetery, and show you some of the interesting monuments,” explained Parker. “And then see the mausoleums, get to peek inside some of them. There will be actors there as well.“
While the tours are done at dusk, and even into the night hours, organizers stress that the event focuses on the historical aspect of the graveyard.
“Our tours are not scary,“ stated Parker. “I’d like to stress that, some places jump out from behind tombstones, we don’t do that. This is very respectful, it’s a historical tour, it is family friendly, so bring the kids. We try to be respectful of the residents of Lakeview. It is a fun Fall thing to do, and it is a little spooky to be in a cemetery, especially at night, but it is a nice safe fun event.”
The Fenton History Center will also have their own Halloween themed display starting in October, for more information and to get tickets go to their website at fentonhistorycenter.org.
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