Renactor Mariah Roberts portrays Hazel Gants (1897-1987), who enjoyed hunting and taxidermy during the 2018 North Webster Cemetery Walk. Sponsored by the North Webster Community Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Center, this year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 8.

NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster Community Public Library will host its 13th annual Cemetery Walk from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8. Open to the public free of charge, this living history event is sponsored by the library’s Local History and Genealogy Center.

During the cemetery walk, the library conducts guided walking tours through North Webster Cemetery where enactors are stationed throughout portraying individuals who are buried there. As the enactors tell their life stories, visitors learn about local history through the lives of ordinary people.

The 2019 cemetery walk will remember the Calvin Nine (1887-1976) portrayed by Gary Earnhart;  Dr. Benjamin F. Kuhn (1869-1950) portrayed by Victor LaBarbera; John and Margaret Fancil Fidler (1827-1910/1832-1892) portrayed by Matt and Ashley Pulley; Ruby Lewallen Shock (1908-2005) portrayed Deborah Shock Conner; Iliff Valentine (1913-1993) portrayed by Forrest Boesenberg; and Benjamin J.. Johnson (1798-1893) portrayed by Todd Lucas. Researching these individuals were Cindy Keirn, Rebecca Pressler, Kristi Rhodes and Helen Leitch.

Tours begin at the North Webster Library, located at 301 N. Main St., leaving every 10 minutes between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to walk the short distance to the nearby cemetery. Golf cart shuttles will be available for people who have difficulty walking. The Friends of the Library organization will furnish free refreshments inside the library while patrons wait for their tour to begin or after their tour ends. The cemetery walk will take place rain or shine.

For more information, contact Local History and Genealogy Center Director Beth Smith at (574) 834-7122, ext. 205. Videos of past cemetery walks are available for viewing at www.nweb.lib.in.us/indiana_room/walk.