As autumn rustles through the leaves, bringing crisp temperatures and a chill to our bones, it’s a perfect time for a stroll through a cemetery and a walk through Beverly’s war-torn past.
This October, the Beverly Heritage Center will be hosting two events: an afternoon walk on October 11 in the Beverly Cemetery, for a look at some of the unique grave markers, and on October 25 a Lantern Tour exploring Historic Beverly’s darker side.
Beverly resident Karl Mulac, along with other docents in period costume, will lead you through graves and markers in the cemetery tour, and down the streets of Beverly for the lantern tour. We will be sharing history and local traditions related to both locations.
TheBeverly cemetery dates to 1768, when two early settlers wereburied on this knoll just above the Tygart River. It is now one of the oldest public cemeteries in the area.
“Walk with us as we examine the customs of death, funeral, burial and grave markings of Beverly’s past,” invites tour guide Karl Mulac. “After a brief introduction, we will venture amongst the weathered tombstones to discuss the meanings of the shapes, symbols, and epitaphs we find.”
“The stories on the Lantern Tour will be drawn both from known history, and from some unexplained things that go bump in the night,”explains Mulac. “We will respectfully share the stories of Beverly’s past, while exploring some family stories, folklore, and mysterious experiences from the community.”
The Cemetery tour will be held on Saturday, October 11th, at 2 pm. The tour will take place in the Beverly Cemetery and last until approximately 3:30 pm. The Lantern Tour will be conducted on Saturday, October 25th. This tour will begin at 7 pm, leaving from the Beverly Heritage Center.
For each event, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Beverly Heritage Center members and children under 12. Participants are encouraged to dress for the chill of the evening and to bring your own flashlight.
For more information on these events, please call the Beverly Heritage Center at (304) 637-7424, send an email to info@beverlyheritagecenter.org, or visit www.beverlyheritagecenter.org or our Facebook page.
