Annual cemetery tour in Washington

WASHINGTON — The 11th Annual Washington Green Cemetery Tour takes place on Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This year’s tour is produced by the Gunn Historical Museum with support from local theatre duo Doug and Martha Winkel of “Washington Dramalites.”

The Washington Green Cemetery Tour is an annual “living history” event that showcases the history of Washington, using costumed actors to portray local figures with connections to the cemetery and town. With more than 375 people expected to attend, the tour is the largest history event produced by the museum each year.

The theme of this year’s tour is “Tales from the Depot’s Shopkeepers” featuring actors portraying Harold Anson, Betsy Averill, Carl Bader, Alpheus Baker, Beatrice Davenport, Abigail Irene Gunn, Thomas Hearn, Ezra Hull, Harris Swanberg, Robert Woodruff and June Wyant. Participants will have the opportunity to explore photos from the Gunn archives of the stores that used to line the streets of downtown Washington before and after the Flood of 1955.

“We are grateful for the support of community members Sheila Anson, Cindy Brissette, and Bill Fairbairn, among others, who shared their own personal recollections along with stories their parents and grandparents passed on to them about the entrepreneurial business owners in town” said Steven Fuchs, Gunn Memorial Trustee, in a written statement

The Washington Green Cemetery Tour starts at the Gunn Historical Museum, 5 Wykeham Road, Washington, CT 06793. Parking is limited. Tours depart every ten minutes between 6:30 and 8:30 pm and last approximately one hour. Tickets will be distributed, on a first-come-first-serve basis, starting at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, and continuing through the evening until the tickets run out. Refreshments, face painting for kids, and a Halloween themed movie will be shown in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library where attendees can wait inside for their tour group to depart. While there is no fee for this event, donations are appreciated and are used to support the Gunn Historical Museum.

Tour guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight, dress warmly, wear comfortable walking shoes, and carpool since parking is limited. The rain date for the tour is Sunday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Adults and students interested in volunteering as actors, tour guides, hosts, ticket takers, or assisting with set-up please contact Lisa Breese, info@gunnhistoricalmuseum.org.

“The Washington Green Cemetery Tour is my favorite annual event. I enjoy bringing friends to hear the stories of people who lived here years ago,” said area resident Rich Pomerantz. “It’s incredibly special to see the cemetery path lined in candlelit luminaries as we are guided by local area students dressed in period costume. It’s one of the best things to do in our wonderful town. I look forward to it each year.”

The Gunn Historical Museum and the Gunn Memorial Library are both located at 5 Wykeham Road in Washington, Connecticut. Contact 860-868-7756 or info@gunnhistoricalmuseum.org for information or visit our website: www.gunnmuseum.org. Performances are Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 at 3 p.m.

“Visiting Mr. Green” will be presented at the Cornwall Town Hall, 24 Pine St., Cornwall.

Tickets are $20 adults, $5 students, available at the Cornwall Library, the Cornwall Country Store, the Cornwall Package Store and the Wish House, as well as at the door. For more information call Ginny at 860-672-6191.