Living History Cemetery Walk

By Samantha Holzman

The Ashland County Historical Society presents: Living History Cemetery Walk. Watch history come to life at the Ashland Cemetery! Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 24th.

Tours will make several stops following one route, where many of Ashland’s historical figures will come to life as portrayed by local talent. Each character will spend a few minutes sharing factual information and telling stories about their life in Ashland and how they were a part of our history. Period costumes worn by the portrayers further heighten the experience with an aura of authenticity.

Marsha Lash of the Ashland County Historical Society says, “We have some local folks who portray historic people who are currently buried in the Ashland cemetery. They essentially become that person and they tell a little bit about what made them famous, what they did in Ashland, and what was special about Ashland when they were alive. It’s really cool to have a first-person narrative to tell about a person’s life”.

“The folks in Ashland who work with us, while they’re not professional actors, you would never know. They do an amazing job from their speeches to the outfits that they wear, which are period costumes. They go all out and they do an amazing job,” she says.

Who will be represented this year?

Frank Goldsmith: Survivor of the Titanic. Portrayed by Ken Hammontree

Henry Blumenschein: Established Ashland Rubber Mat. Portrayed by Jason Ellis

Eldred Leon Clem, MD: First Lieutenant in the Medical Corps, National Guard. In 1967, he suffered a heart attack while in the operating room at Samaritan Hospital in Ashland. Portrayed by Brad Weidenhammer

Walter Holm: Owner of The Holm Flower Shop and greenhouse. Portrayed by Dave Kowalka

Mildred Myers: First female politician and judge in Ashland. Portrayed by Martha Buckner

Civil War Union Soldiers: Portrayed by Tim Peaslee and Brandon Carpenter

The Family of Curtis and William Swineford, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 42^nd Company: Veterans of the Civil War, grew up in Ashland. Mother portrayed by Raylene Hlavaty

The free tour begins at 1:00pm with groups starting every ten minutes. This event is appropriate for families and people of all ages. Donations are welcome.

“I really enjoy the young people that come out to our cemetery walk. It’s such a great and fun way for them to learn. And Ashland cemetery is beautiful and this is a great way to spend the afternoon”, Marsha says.

The Ashland County Historical society is committed to preserving the past to share with the future.

For more information, visit /calendar/2017/09/24/living-history-cemetery-walk or www.ashlandhistory.org