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Cemetery Tours Offer Plymouth History Etched in Stone
History lessons don’t always have to happen in books. Sometimes, those lessons are etched in stone.
“There are almost 900 people buried here — mayors, politicians, veterans, moms, kids,” said Ryan Barland, referring to Parkers Lake Cemetery in Plymouth.
Barland, a member of the Plymouth Historical Society, says Parkers Lake Cemetery — which is owned by the city of Plymouth — dates back to 1871.
“Plymouth history is buried here,” said Barland.
Now, the city wants to share that history with anyone who’s interested.
In October, they’re offering folks the opportunity to come out and take a guided cemetery tour.
“Cemeteries have those very niche local stories that people are interested in,” said Allison Hennes, Plymouth’s historic site supervisor.
Hennes will lead those guided tours. She’s done a significant amount of research on the people who chose Parkers Lake Cemetery as their final resting place.
“It’s mostly going to be settler stories of people moving to Plymouth for the first time in the 1860s, and then a couple add-ons that are just a little fun,” said Hennes.
The Plymouth Historical Society says they’ve been blown away by the response since they announced the cemetery tours. The hope is that October’s guided tours will be the first of many such events.
“There is something for everyone in a cemetery tour,” said Barland.
The guided tours of Parkers Lake Cemetery are from 5-7 p.m. on October 2, 16 and 30.
The tours are free, but the city is asking folks to register on the city’s website.
