'Haints and Saints' cemetery tour planned in Jefferson

JEFFERSON - Local figures from the Revolutionary War to the early 20th century will tell their stories when the Crawford Long Museum Association presents the first Haints and Saints cemetery tours during the last weekend in October. <br /> <br /> The Association is offering moonlight guided tours through downtown Jefferson and the Woodbine Cemetery, where volunteer actors in period costume will present dramatic first-person accounts of the lives of a half-dozen cemetery residents. The accounts, based on historic records, give first-person views of regional and local events and offer an alternative to typical Halloween activities.<br /> <br /> Tour attendees will meet Nancy Randolph Harrison, proprietor of the 120-year-old Harrison Hotel; Ira Ethridge of the Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm; Mary Jane Merck Patrick, a Civil War widow; James Mauldin, a veteran of the Civil War; Dr. J.B. Pendergrass, who treated patients in a building that became part of the Crawford W. Long Museum; and Samuel Knox, a Revolutionary War soldier. <br /> <br /> In May, 2012 The Georgia Humanities Council awarded a grant of $1,000 for the event to the Crawford W. Long Museum Association. Other sponsorships are provided by Cream & Shuga Coffee Shop, Jackson EMC, Dr. Doug Cleveland Family Dentistry, Northeast Georgia Physicians Group, Athens Regional Jefferson Medical, Newell Orthodontics, Sons of the American Revolution, Dot's Florist and Evans Funeral Home.<br /> <br /> Local resident and writer Laurie Anderson researched and wrote the script. Anderson also writes for the syndicated radio program "The Mountain Music & Medicine Show," and has written and directed a bluegrass musical featuring Appalachian Christmas traditions for the Holly Theater in Dahlonega. Chuck Miller with Jefferson Community Theater will direct the production. The cemetery residents are portrayed by performers from the Jefferson Community Theatre, as well as a great-grandchild of Ira Ethridge, and Civil War and Revolutionary War re-enactors. <br /> <br /> This event will be held on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. The walking tours will begin at 7:30 and will depart the Museum every 30 minutes with the last tour departing at 10:30. Cost is $12 and reservations must be made in advance. Visit www.crawfordlong.org or call the Museum at 706-367-5307 to make reservations as each tour time is limited. One child under 12 admitted free with paying adult. Participants must be able to walk five city blocks. This event is suitable for children aged 6 and older.<br /> <br /> The Crawford Long Museum, located on the Jefferson Public Square at 28 College Street is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00-5:00 and Saturday from 10:00- 4:00.<br />

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