Cemeteries across the country are celebrating Halloween and Saints Day (or Day of the Dead) with tours, ceremonies, and other events. Events range from celebration of historic figures to the restoration of cemeteries. History is often played out in costumes and stories. Here are just a few of the events happening this Halloween:
In Houston, historic cemeteries opened their gates over the weekend as part of the city’s 175th birthday celebration. In one event a ceremony was held honoring the first sheriff of Harris County, John W. Moore, buried in founders cemetery in 1846. [see sources below]
At Westminster Hall and burial ground in Baltimore, the crowds line up to celebrate one its its city’s most famous purveyor of fright, Edgar Alan Poe. “Indeed, touring the catacombs and burial grounds, which date to 1786, has become a Baltimore tradition in itself. Normally, the Halloween festivities are a major fundraiser for Westminster Hall, but this year, all proceeds from the tours will be put toward the operation of the nearby Poe House and Museum. It has faced the possibility of closing since the city withdrew its financial support last year. A consulting firm is studying ways the home could be made profitable; its report is expected early next year.” [see sources below]
New Orleans, where they have always celebrated death with unique fanfare, will host two events at the historic cemeteries St. Louis No. 1 and No. 2. At St. Louis No.1 “on Basin Street will be the site of an event called “Dearly Departed,” billed as ‘a cemetery exploration with costumed historical characters,’ on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon. Among the famous figures buried in St. Louis No. 1 are 19th-century developer Bernard de Marigny and, of course, voodoo queen Marie Laveau.” St. Louis No.2 will sponsor a tour. Save Our Cemeteries, a preservation group, will have information tables at St. Louis No. 1 and St. Louis No. 2, as well as Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, 1400 Washington Ave. in the Garden District. [see sources below]
Take a moment to Google historic cemeteries in you area. You may just find they are hosting an historical even worthy of All Hallows Eve.
Sources:
Cemeteries open gates to Houston’s past; By Hallie Jordan, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Being for the benefit of Mr. E.A. Poe; By Chris Kaltenbach; The Baltimore Sun
For All Saints Day in New Orleans, traditions new and old; By Annette Sisco, The Times-Picayun