A walk through the cemetery doesn’t normally sound like something to smile about, but there are no tears in one of Huntsville’s most historic grave sites for a special reason.
It’s the annual Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll and locals are happy to be back.
Linda Presley, who attended the stroll says, “We’ve been here almost every year and learned something new that we missed other years.” Audra Rutter came with her and adds, “You never can make it through in one year so you have to keep coming back so you can get all of it.”
And some came to see what all the excitement is about.
A first time attendee told us, “It’s my first time at the Cemetery Stroll. I’ve been wanting to do it for a number of years. But, first beautiful fall day to come out and do it!”
Locals volunteer to represent prominent figures in the city’s history to teach Huntsville’s past in an interactive way.
Like, Janice Jennings, who plays the Wandering Widow who searched the cemetery for her husband’s grave after she missed his burial.
Jennings jokes and tells our reporter, “They want to know why I was not present. Then I have to tell them this little story about me being out with another man. But, I do give them the name of the headstone and have them look for it!”
One of the most crowded areas of the cemetery was one where impersonators told the story of a church older than the state of Alabama, the Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church.They features the tale of a reverend who, even when threatened with violence, remained loyal to the people of this town.
William Hampton, who played the role of Rev. Bartley Harris says, “These are individuals who were entrusted with the precious jewels and belongings of Huntsville’s citizens during the Civil War.”
During the Civil War, soldiers came to the church looking for those valuables– but Bartley Harris didn’t give them up.
One of the women playing the role of a Bartley Church Singer, tells us, “When God places you over something, you have to stand your ground and do what the Lord tells you to do– no matter what happens.”
Another singer agrees with her adding, “Amen to that.”
The cemetery stroll is put on each year by the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to educating the public of the historic significance of Madison County.
All of the donations raised go toward the upkeep of the oldest parts of the cemetery.
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