Residents walk into city history in cemetery

Oberlin residents enjoyed sunshine and the scenic Westwood Cemetery June 3 while learning of some the historic people of the city during a Radicals and Reformers History Walk.

Oberlin Heritage Center invited guests on the walk to educate and explore the city’s only cemetery at 455 Morgan St.

A group of residents walked through about half of the 47 acre cemetery in the tour guided by heritage center member and volunteer Martin Ackermann.

They perused some of the headstones of the notable men and women who stood for many issues in Oberlin and the country.

He also provided photos of most of them.

Many of the radicals and reformers were those dating back to when Oberlin was founded by two Elyria ministers, John Jay Shipherd and Philo Stewart in 1833.

Some were past presidents and professors of Oberlin College, formerly known as Oberlin Collegiate Institute.

Others were ministers, missionaries, anti-slavery and women’s rights activists, slaves and businessmen who made a difference in the city.

Many of those buried in Westwood were first buried at Oberlin’s original cemetery near downtown on Main Street.

However, due to size of the plot, the Oberlin Cemetery Association purchased the new land and moved all graves and stones into Westwood, Ackermann said.

The cemetery was evetually dedicated in 1864 and is still used today, he added.

Having a cemetery that is on the outskirts of town with a park-like setting and paths is what was wanted by the Rural Cemetery Movement, Ackermann said.

Ackermann said it’s important to give residents an idea of what Radicalism and Reformists were to those in the city’s history.

“Reform and radicalism hasn’t changed,” Ackermann said. “It’s just the topics have changed. The issues changed but the mindset hasn’t.”

Bob and Ginny Cestaro of Oberlin were two of the guests who joined in the historic walk.

The two have been in Oberlin for less than a year after moving from Columbia Station.

Each said they wanted to move to Oberlin to enjoy scenic and entertainment areas.

Westwood is a frequent walk for the married couple, so learning about the history educates them more about where they live, Ginny said.

BRIANA CONTRERAS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Martin Ackermann, volunteer at Oberlin Heritage Center, shares historic information with Oberlin residents.

BRIANA CONTRERAS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Martin Ackermann, member and volunteer of Oberlin Heritage Center, shares historic information with Oberlin residents in a Radical and Reformer History Walk at Westwood Cemetery, 455 Morgan St. on June 3. Ackermann guided guests through a tour in the...