Some of Auburn’s most notorious characters will be brought to life through re-enactment at the Auburn Heritage Association’s Pine Hill Cemetery Lantern Tour on Oct. 8 and 9 from 7-9 p.m.
People will be guided through the luminary-lit cemetery and watch monologues of Auburn's most prominent, deceased figures by their tombstones, according to Mary Norman, president of the Auburn Heritage Association.
The tour will teach the early history of the city of Auburn. University presidents, professors and mayors dating back to 1837 are buried in the cemetery. The founder of the city, who is buried at the center of the cemetery, will be portrayed by his great-great-grandson Chuck Leonard, who works at WTVM.
This year's tour will be approximately 12 junior guides between the ages of 8-12 to lighten the mood and diminish the suggestion that the tour is "scary."
"People say all the time, 'Oh my God, we've always wanted to come, but we're too scared,' but it's not scary at all," said Crysten Conner, and actress in the lantern tour. "It's very educational. It's very historical. There is nothing scary in the least."
Crysten has participated with the tour for approximately six years. She will be portraying Luckie Meagher, who ran Mrs. Meagher's Kindergarten on Glenn Avenue, alongside her husband Jay Connor, who will be portraying Red Meagher, Luckie's wife.
Four students from the University will serve as guides for this year's tour: Olivia Singleton, freshman in animal science; Kristin Burton, sophomore in media studies; Alyssa Deslauriers, sophomore in political science; and Erika Connell, sophomore in rehab services.
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