Local History “Comes Alive” during the Tombstone Tales Tour, Saturday, Oct. 25th, at Augustus Lutheran Church
Just once a year, for only a few hours, some of the hundreds of amazing individuals buried in the Augustus Lutheran Church cemetery in Trappe, PA ”arise” from their final resting places to tell the stories of their lives. Discover how these remarkable ancestors lived and died, and the influence many of them had not only on Pennsylvania, but the nation.
The cemetery graves date back to 1736–and older—and each year, the Tombstone Tales Committee focuses on different historical figures, so tour goers learn information on new inhabitants at each year’s tour. This year’s tour focuses on the lives of the many veterans buried in the cemetery—veterans from the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the War of 1812 (1812 – 1815), the Civil War (1861-1865), the Spanish-American War (1898), both First (1914-1918) and Second (1939 – 1945) World Wars, the Korean War (1950- 1953) and Vietnam War (1959-1975).
The tour also includes the interior one of the area’s most significant “hidden treasures”: Historic Old Church, which dates back to 1743, predating the Declaration of Independence by one generation.
This year’s cemetery walking tour, which can be enjoyed by the entire family, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25th, with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 26th. Tour goers can arrive at any time between 2 and 4:30 p.m. inside the new Augustus Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall for the tour. The 20-minute tours exit through the back door to the cemetery. Tour goers enjoy a reception with light refreshments at the end of the tour.
Those taking the tour are asked to dress for the outside weather. Suggested donations are $5 for adults and $1 for children; toddlers are free. Unfortunately, the tour is over uneven terrain and is not easily handicapped accessible.
The Augustus Lutheran United Church of Christ,is located at 717 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA 19426. It has provided ministry to the central Montgomery County community in and around Trappe, PA since 1743. The church supports the entire spiritual life of members and friends, and has especially strong ministries to children and youth, music, and helping neighbors in need. For more information, http://www.augustustrappe.org/
For more information on the Tombstone Tales tour, contact Jen Wentworth [email protected] or Richard Clapper [email protected]. Calls can also be made to Augustus Lutheran Church (610 489-9625) Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds benefit Historic Old Church upkeep of buildings and artifacts. For more information concerning Augustus Lutheran Church, contact The Parish Administrator at 610-489-9625.