Spirits materialize in historic Riverside Cemetery

Ghost lovers, Halloween enthusiasts, history buffs and anyone who wants to take an evening walking tour of historic Riverside Cemetery is invited to join various Macon residents — living and otherwise — for a unique look at one of Georgia’s most notable cemeteries.

Established in 1887, Riverside Cemetery is located just off Riverside Drive and is situated above the Ocmulgee River. It is the final resting place of more than 18,000 people including Civil War veterans, civic leaders, renowned educators, religious leaders, military veterans and prominent Macon families, according to its website.

The cemetery’s annual Spirits in October event will offer a unique perspective of history as story-tellers regale participants with the lives and deaths of people buried in the cemetery.

A lighted luminary path — along with a knowledgeable tour guide — will escort participants through the maze of headstones, leading to “captivating stories of people buried standing up, living in three centuries, the Spanish flu, an unfortunate car accident and untold wealth — just to name a few,” according to a news release. At the end of the tour, guests are invited to a reception at the Macon Public Mausoleum.

The tour is family-friendly and designed to educate and entertain, while putting a human face on history. This year’s theme is “Spirits Through the Centuries.”

Groups of 15-20 visitors will tour the cemetery with a guide to meet re-enactors of spirits from many eras, who each will share their story, their influence over what happened in the past, and how their legacy may still be felt.

Put on by the Riverside Conservancy, Spirits in October helps meet the group’s mission of connecting the past and the future, not only through preservation of the grounds themselves, but also by keeping this cultural landmark relevant in the present.

By highlighting the history of the community builders, musicians, teachers, athletes, ministers, public servants, homemakers, aviators and others who reside there, the conservancy hopes to offer visitors a deep connection to the past and to their community, the website said.

This story was originally published October 20, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Spirits materialize in historic Riverside Cemetery."