Published: October 26, 2009 01:48 pm      

Ghostly history

Albion students entertain with cemetery tour

ALBION — Lanterns and lights marked the way through the oldest part of Mount Albion cemetery. As different groups took their turn walking into the cemetery, they were soon greeted by the ghosts of Albion past. Though obviously not real ghosts, the students of Albion High School portrayed characters of the past while telling the history that shaped their community.

“It was a huge turnout,” said teacher Gary Simboli. “The response of the community has been huge.”

The Albion High School arts department students held the historic ghost walk Oct. 17 and Saturday. This was the first time for the two-night event that brought out more than 600 people.

“This town doesn’t get many things like this,” said senior Cody Carter, who portrayed William Barlow. “It gets the community involved and the school involved.”

A group of more than 60 students participated in the tour. Each dressed in period clothes; some students were the spirits of the past, some were tour guides to escort the guests through the cemetery and others helped with the special effects or created instrumental period music.

“It’s been amazing,” said senior Taylor Whittier, who portrayed Albert Warner. “We’ve had all these great things no one knew about.”

He said all of the students got to learn the not-so-well-known facts and teach them to the community.

Tour guides JD Smith, a sophomore, and Allen Sanford, a freshman, also agreed that not only did the community learn Albion history they didn’t know about, the Albion students also connected and learned more about where they live.

“It’s a great way to share our community history with people,” Sanford said. “They seemed to really enjoy it.”

Smith said he was glad to find out more information and share it with the community. He was also happy with the turnout of the event.

Over the summer the students met with county historian Bill Lattin and Village of Albion historian Neil Johnson to learn more about the important people of the past. Simboli said the students then did a lot of research on their own and wrote their own script.

Ghost participants that guests got to meet included Albert Warner, William Barlow, Hon. Sanford Church, Emma Swan and John Proctor.

“It’s interesting portraying other characters and being someone who actually lived in Albion,” said freshman Ali O’Hearn, who acted as Jane Lavery. “It helps people connect with our town’s history.”

Proceeds of the tour went to the Albion Main Street Alliance.

Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.