Mansfield Cemetery will again host an afternoon of visiting with its occupants as local reenactors present “Living Mansfield,” Sunday, May 26, 3-5 p.m.
As many as 20 individuals will stand next to the graves of historical figures, portraying them in brief autobiographical presentations. Participants will travel in groups with tours beginning about every 10 minutes at the entrance of the cemetery. The walking tour will cover about 1.5 miles.
This is the fourth year for the presentation. Admission is free, no reservations are needed and parking is to be outside of the cemetery. No restroom facilities are available.
This year’s event is part of a series commemorating Richland County’s Bicentennial. A similar event was held May 5 in Galion, and Ashland will host one at its cemetery on June 2. Lexington will follow suit on June 16. Crestline will also host an event in the fall. Galion, Ashland and Crestline all were in Richland County when it was formed 200 years ago. although Ashland, Crawford and Morrow Counties received parts of Richland County when they where later formed.
Richland County Bicentennial Coordinator Paul Lintern says this sort of event is a pleasant and invigorating way to bring history to life.
“There is nothing spooky about cemetery event such as this; it allows folks to see people in their historical costumes while hearing their stories today,” Lintern says.
“Every tombstone has a story buried there. We have chosen several people with especially interesting stories, people to affected our community when they were alive, and in some ways still today,”
A grocery store owner who died at the battle of Gettysburg, a hotel owner, a couple of city founders, an inventor, an internationally known author and a local teacher are among those offering their stories.
