Experience Newnan’s Oak Hill Cemetery as never before and learn about some early citizens laid to rest there during Newnan-Coweta Historical Society’s 3rd Annual Oak Hill Cemetery Tour, "Angels Are Among Us Here," 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27.
NCHS will host interactive, immersive experience tours of Newnan’s historic cemetery. Actors in costume will beguile ticket holders with lively, engaging tales and educating history. Tours depart every 20 minutes from nearby McRitchie-Hollis Museum where dancers, musicians and artists also contribute to this unique event.
“This will be a treat for the senses. The cemetery will come alive with stories,” said tour director Larisa Scott. “It’s certainly not a ‘jump and scare’ type of tour, but rather a celebration of living and to help attendees get to know some of Newnan’s previous residents.”
The tour focuses on Newnan residents who lived and died in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the residents featured include W.B.W. Dent, who built a home in 1851 on Temple Avenue, owned Stone Mountain and died at age 49; those in the Parrot-Bigby plot; those in the Confederate section from the time of the Battle of Brown's Mill; and others. The tours, scheduled every 20 minutes from 4 to 6:20 p.m., last approximately an hour and begin at McRithchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson Street, Newnan, GA 30263.
Taking inspiration from Atlanta’s popular and successful Oakland Cemetery Spirit Tours, organizers of the NCHS Oak Hill Cemetery Tour hope to engage, educate and entertain tour-goers.
“This is a community event designed to thrill citizens on every level. Guests will hear tales never heard before, delight in elegant dance performances and local singer-songwriters at the museum and enjoy the work of local artists. The tour is fresh and completely new from years before,” said Scott.
Performers are to be located at the museum as well as in the cemetery. Some of the performers included in the event are Dean Jackson, Michael Scott, Melissa Dickson Jackson, Anna Warren, Bob Seymour, The McGees and others. Dancers perform courtesy of Southern Arc Dance Company. Local musicians will sing, play guitar and bagpipes. This event is a unique opportunity for citizens to experience Oak Hill in a dynamic way.
The guided tours will be led by NCHS lantern-wielding docents. Ticket holders are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled tour to check in, enjoy entertainment and artwork and to get with their tour group and guide. Elegant dances performed by members of Southern Arc Dance Company led by award winning choreographer Paulo Manso de Sousa will entertain guests.
Several artists and craftspeople will be positioned on the front lawn displaying their work for this event. Look for several Newnan-Coweta Art Association members as well as a few exhibitors from the local Artisans Heritage Guild. Come early and stay after your tour to enjoy the dancing, music, arts festival and refreshments on the museum lawn. Soak up the fall festival atmosphere. Coffee, fried pies, cookies and other treats available for purchase.
Stories and presentations are being designed to engage audience members and give attendees a feeling of “getting to know” Oak Hill. Musicians performing at the museum will entertain with lively yet respectful music from the 19th and 20th centuries. Dancers from Southern Arc Dance Company perform as lovely angels.
While this event takes place in October, the month of Halloween, the tone and atmosphere will remain one of respect and reverence. By highlighting Newnan’s Oak Hill cemetery, the stories of the deceased are perpetuated and the memory of the former citizens prolonged and celebrated. The event is intended to be “a celebration of Newnan’s living and deceased. It will bring life to a historic area of town that has much to explore,” said Scott.
This tour is organized by the staff and volunteers of Newnan-Coweta Historical Society for the purpose of educating our community about some of our deceased citizens and to provide a cultural experience in the downtown historic area. Tours last approximately one hour and begin and end at NCHS’s McRitchie-Hollis Museum. Tickets, $22 for adults, $11 for children age 12 and younger, may be purchased at www.eventbrite.com (just search for Oak Hill), or by visiting NCHS's McRitchie-Hollis Museum, 74 Jackson St, Newnan, GA 30263. Not recommended for small children. For more information call the museum at 770-251-0207.
