Scaring up some new spirits
Museum’s annual cemetery tour moves to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
The site is new and so is the spirit of the Niagara Historical Society & Museum’s theatrical cemetery tours.
Make that spirits.
After six years at St. Mark’s Anglican cemetery, the popular event has moved to a new venue. This year, participants will be exposed to a whole new cast of quirky characters: the “spirts” of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian cemetery.
“There are a few individuals buried in St. Andrew’s that we have wanted to showcase for a while now, so we are very excited to have the opportunity to do so this year,” said Sarah Kaufman, managing director for the museum.
Participants will be led by the "Gravedigger" through the cemetery where they will meet and listen to the stories of several spirits; all of whom are played by local volunteer actors. These characters tell the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake by providing theatrical accounts of their lives.
The script for the tour was written by local director-producer Barbara Worthy and beautifully weaves fascinating historical tidbits with playful humour and song. This year, participants will meet the museum’s founder, Janet Carnochan, her successor, Catherine Creed, First World War soldier Stanley Byfield, postmaster John Crooks and his wife Mary, and many more. This lineup of characters will bring laughs and tears through stories of marital squabbles, friendship, insanity and tragedy.
Tours will be held Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 starting at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 each and can be ordered in advance by calling the museum at 905-468-3912.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is located at 323 Simcoe St.
The cemetery is not accessible for those with mobility restrictions. Individuals with minor mobility or vision restrictions and families with young children may want to consider registering for the 6 p.m. tours so they can enjoy the event with more light to help navigate the cemetery.
For more information on the Museum and its events, visit www.niagarahistorical.museum. The museum is located at 43 Castlereagh St. and is open daily from 1 to 5 p.m. from November to April and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through October.