HISTORY UNVEILED ON RURAL CEMETERY TOUR: On Sunday, October 18, the New Bedford Preservation Society will present its sixth annual “Historical Cemetery Tour.”  The tour will take place at the Rural Cemetery in New Bedford, where historic portrayals in period costume will take place at several gravesites along the tour route.

Guided walking tours led by knowledgeable society volunteers will step off from the Grape Street entrance of the cemetery every 10 minutes beginning at 1 p.m.  The last tour will leave at 3:30 p.m. The tour route will cover approximately one mile in a 45-minute walk. 

Rural Cemetery is the final resting place for many members of prominent whaling era families, important New Bedford politicians, famous New Bedford artists, and other notables.  Some of the “spirits” who have promised to appear include Mayor Charles S. Ashley, Minna Grumbt Webb, and Albert Bierstadt, to name a few.

Cemeteries have been called outdoor museums, windows to the culture of the past.  They not only serve as a resting place for the departed, they tell us much about the times in which they lived.  Tour guides will highlight some of the elaborate memorials and explain the symbolism represented by the sculpture and decorative designs on the headstones. 

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the cemetery gate. However, advance purchase of tickets is recommended.  They are on sale at Elaine’s (downtown New Bedford), New York Shore Repair in New Bedford; Baker Books in Dartmouth and Periwinkle’s in Fairhaven.  A $2 discount will be given to New Bedford Preservation Society members on advance tickets.  Rain date is October 25.

A portion of the proceeds generated from the tour will be donated to maintain the integrity of the city’s historic cemeteries, with the remaining proceeds applied to the society’s ongoing projects, such as New Bedford Re-Leaf, the Historic Marker Program, reprinting of Architectural Walking Tour brochures, semi-annual historic house tours, summer guided walking tours, lectures and other efforts.

Call the Preservation Society at 508-997-7425 or visit www.nbpreservationsociety.org for further information.

WHEN:  1 to 4 p.m.

ADMISSION:  $15 at cemetery gate or by advance purchase (recommended) at Elaine's (downtown New Bedford); New York Shoe Repair in New Bedford, Baker Books in Dartmouth, and Periwinkle's in Fairhaven - $2 discount to society members on advance tickets.