Grayslake Historical Society to Host Living History Tour Sunday

Nine costumed actors and actresses will portray several people who experienced untimely deaths and are buried in the Grayslake Cemetery during the 16th annual Living History Tour, or cemetery walk, scheduled at the cemetery.

The popular, scripted, historic narrative will be hosted by the GrayslakeHistorical Society at performances at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Grayslake Cemetery on Lake Street, just north of Route 120. They will tell about their lives and how they relate toGrayslake's history.

The first cemetery walk was held in 1998. Past themes have included coffins, epitaphs, the Plank Road and tombstone symbols.

There is no admission charge for the Oct. 6 event, but donations will be appreciated. Parking will be available in the Westlake Christian Academy parking lot adjacent to the cemetery. Attendees are encouraged to bring umbrellas in case of rain.

"Most of the people buried here or remembered here, died a natural death," the Cemetery Walk narrator will say. "Sadly some died before it was their time. Today you will learn how six people died as told by a family member. You will also learn some local history."

"This cemetery records the death of Grayslake's first mayor," the narrator continues. "Others buried here were early pioneers, businessmen, veterans, children and people just like you and me. There are no official records for this cemetery. The oldest death date is from 1840s and is probably a reinterment. The latest burial, a cremation, was in 2010."

The narrator recalls some of the unusual deaths.

"There are at least three known suicides. Numerous babies and youth are buried here. One was killed by a falling stanchion. A couple drowned while several died from disease. One death is assumed to be a result of the flu epidemic. Three died as a result of the Civil War. There is a victim of a motorcycle accident buried here as well as a car accident. One person was found hanging on a fence following a heart attack."

There are 147 plots in the cemetery containing more than 400 burials. Among those buried there are veterans from the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War and World War I.

Land for the cemetery was deeded by Lawrence Forvor and his wife Maria in 1863.

Also sponsoring the event is Strang Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Ltd. Flowers will be provided by The Bloom Room.

The Village of Grayslake and the Grayslake Historical Society work together to maintain the cemetery.

The Grayslake Historical Society invites people to visit the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum to view the latest exhibit Farms: Seeds of Our Community which traces the agricultural heritage of Gayslake by displaying artifacts, images and farm implements. The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and during downtown community events.

—Contributed by the Grayslake Historical Society.