The Chattooga County Historical Society and Summerville’s Main Street program are combining efforts to stage first-ever walking tours of the Summerville Cemetery.  The cemetery, dating to 1840, is only a year younger than the county seat and the tour will focus primarily on the older sections.  At each of the designated gravesites, an actor dressed in period-appropriate costume will await each group.  The actors have studied scripts detailing information to share from the life of the person he or she will portray.

Transportation Available

Tickets will be available at the historic Summerville Depot from 10:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on the day of the tours (October 10 and October 24).  The Historical Society suggests a donation of $5 for adults and $2 for children six and up.  The proceeds from the tour will be used for repair of broken tombstones in the older sections of the cemetery.  

Tours will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m. The county transit bus will transport ticketholders from the Depot area to the cemetery.  Space is limited for parking at the cemetery so participants are encouraged to take advantage of this free shuttle service.

 

Combining History and the Sequoyah Arts Show

Gene McGinnis, president of the Historical Society, stated “Interpretive history is an entirely new venture for us.  If this is successful, there are numerous sites around the county where we may want to put on similar programs.”

Susan Locklear of the Summerville Main Street program, commented, “We think this is going to be a delightful program.  We especially hope those attending the Sequoyah Arts, Antiques and Quilts Show will finish their day with us on the Living History Tour!”

Voices from the Past

There will be numerous stops on this walking tour.  Some of the characters (and actors) you can expect to meet are Minnie Cleghorn, Rev. David T. Espy, Lois McWhorter, Octavia Jones Cleghorn (Peggy Baldwin), Smith and Charlotte Knox (Maxine Mosley West), Lucy Burnett Johnson (Reba Welch), Mary Hinton Lovejoy Johnson (Michael Ann Bailey), Mary Tookes (Arbie Avery), Dr. Robert Young Rudicil (John Turner), Annie Pitts (Ella Cox) and Dr. William B. Hair (Bill Barker). 

Steve Strickland will lead the tours, along with other members of the Historical Society.  Strickland says, “This old burial ground has a very interesting story…many stories.  We thought we would allow some of its most interesting characters speak for themselves!  Those who come on the tour will hear some sad stories, some shockers and a lot of hilarious anecdotes.  Come join us!”