HPS cemetery tours on tap again this fall, beginning on Saturday

The Heritage Preservation Society has expanded its agenda of annual fall tours. Once again tours of county cemeteries will take place.

Two events acknowledging that 2011 is the first year of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War are being added this year.

The first offering of tours is scheduled for Saturday evening, Oct. 15. Everyone is invited to come learn about two local cemeteries, The Old Greencastle Cemetery on Hanna Street, also known as Blackstock, and the Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery near the Houck Covered Bridge.

Local historian and cemetery restoration expert Larry Tippin will lead people through Blackstock Cemetery beginning at 6 p.m. The cemetery is located on Hanna Street west of South Jackson Street. Participants will meet to register for this tour prior to the start of the tour (watch for HPS signs on Jackson Street).

Following Tippin's presentation at Blackstock, the tour will leave for the Boone-Hutcheson Cemetery in Washington Township by car caravan. At this time of year who can say what ghostly sightings participants might come upon along the way. (It has been rumored that the ghost of Pearl Bryan may be somewhere about Putnam County).

Once upon the picturesque hilltop location of the cemetery, resting place of some of Daniel Boone's family, the history of the cemetery and the ghostly sightings purported there will take shape.

Returning to First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 110 S. Indiana St., participants are invited to enjoy refreshments and join a tour of the DePauw University campus at 8:30 p.m.

Participants taking only the second tour may register for it at the church after 8 p.m. The tour will leave the church by car for a central location on the campus where the walking tour will commence. HPS guides will add history and architectural information.

Greencastle resident Chris Lien of the Hoosier State Paranormal group will join the tour, adding information concerning paranormal activities on the campus.

Saturday evening, Oct. 22, the cemetery tour will be repeated followed by a walking tour of downtown Greencastle. David English will lead the tour of some of the most historic and haunted structures in central Greencastle. This walking tour is back by popular demand, providing a trip down memory lane recalling the Von Castle Theatre, the Royal Café and other establishments along the way.

On the afternoons of Saturday, Oct. 22 and Sunday Oct. 23, the Civil War Roundtable and the Putnam County Library are partnering with the Heritage Preservation Society to return Gen. Lew Wallace to Greencastle.

The general will be portrayed by Bernie O'Bryan of Covington, Ky. O'Bryan is a highly knowledgeable Civil War historian and has appeared at the Lew Wallace Study, Conner Prairie and The Indiana Historical Society. His visit to Greencastle offers the opportunity to learn more about the Civil War and the part played by Indiana soldiers.

While in Greencastle, Wallace will return to Forest Hill Cemetery to visit the Civil War Soldiers Monument that he helped to dedicate in 1870. Watch for further information on these events.

Here is the cost breakdown: Cemetery tours, $10; campus tour/downtown tour, $5; combination ticket, $13. Family of three or more: Cemetery tours, $25; walking tours $13; combination $35. Payable by cash prior to the tour.

Reservations and additional information is available by calling 522-1430, 653-4513 or online at putnamheritage@gmail.com.