The Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission’s Annual Cemetery Walk will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Riverside Cemetery, 414 N. River Street. Guests will be led through the cemetery on a tour back in time to meet the fascinating ghosts of early Montgomery settlers and other cemetery residents.
The event is geared towards all ages and is not a scary event. It will be a fun glimpse into history with authentic characters portraying those from the past. Each year the Historic Preservation Commission works to highlight new stories and icons of our community. This year’s event features a 19th Century business man, an Aurora firefighter, a young girl and her father, and an upholstery store owner.
Visitors are welcome to arrive any time between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.. Tours begin at the corner of River and Taylor Streets on the southeast side of the cemetery about every 10 minutes. Parking is available along River Street near Montgomery Park. Visitors should bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. Old Montgomery street signs will sell for $10 each at the event. Dieterle Memorial Home, which owns and maintains Riverside Cemetery, will provide complimentary refreshments at the event.
Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission, a volunteer-led organization committed to preserving the history of the Village, organizes the Cemetery Walk. There is no charge for this event. In the event of rain, the Cemetery Walk will occur Thursday, Oct. 3, at the same time and location.
The committee is still seeking volunteers to serve as guides to escort the groups through the cemetery. To volunteer or for additional information, contact the Historic Preservation Commission at hpc@montgomeryil.org. Event details are available online at montgomeryil.org and on the Village of Montgomery’s Facebook page.
—Village of Montgomery