Published online with the Wilmington News Journal, Saturday October 23, 2021. https://www.wnewsj.com/news/183084/history-comes-to-life-at-talking-tombstones-cemetery-tour
A first-ever event was deemed a great success at the first-ever Talking Tombstones fundraiser at Sugar Grove Cemetery, held by the Clinton County History Center on a beautiful late October day.
Local residents brought historical residents to life for about 200 attendees, according to Clinton County History Center Executive Director Shelby Boatman, as character actors shared a 5- to 10-minute story of each local individual’s history.
All the characters were being historically costumed and outfitted by Linda Rinehart.
Self-guided walking tours began every half hour between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m., and a variety of additional cemetery history and symbolism was also shared in each participant’s event brochure.
Due to COVID-19, this is the History Center’s only in-person event for the year and served as their main fundraiser for 2021.
The event was sponsored by Brown Funeral Home – Wilmington, Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Edgington Funeral Home – Wilmington, Littleton Funeral Home – Sabina, Merchants National Bank – Wilmington, Smith Funeral Home – Wilmington, Sugar Grove Cemetery, City of Wilmington, The Loft on Main, and the Wilmington News Journal.
Survey says
Event participants are invited to share their opinions and feedback by way of an online survey to help the History Center improve for next year: https://clintoncountyhistory.org/?p=3648 .