Meet those from Newnan’s past up close and personal during the Oak Hill Cemetery Tour, “Where History Comes to Life.” Choose from two tour dates: Saturday, Oct. 21 and Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Tickets include a guided cemetery tour, the “Mad for Pumpkins” museum tour, and an unforgettable evening under the stars enjoying live music and the opportunity to eat with Ellison Brothers BBQ food truck.
In this interactive, totally immersive experience, actors enthrall guests with lively, engaging tales of Newnan’s rich past. Tours, led by costumed guides who embody other familiar Newnan residents, depart every 20 minutes from the McRitchie-Hollis Museum. Before or after the tour on both dates, ticket holders may enjoy dinner with Ellison Bros. BBQ food truck while enjoying live blues and folk music in the museum garden. The 2023 tour benefits The McRitchie-Hollis Museum, Newnan-Coweta’s local history center.
The Oak Hill Cemetery Tour focuses on Newnan residents of the 19th and 20th centuries. Featured graves in the 2023 tour include: the Dent Brothers, the Yancey Sisters, conman Soapy Smith’s grandmother, an arm buried by itself near its owner, a stately elderly couple, and a dynamic Newnan personality among others. Tours are led by guides portraying Sheriff Lamar Potts, Chief McIntosh, Mayhayley Lancaster and several others. An added bonus stop this year takes place at the African-American Heritage Museum located at 92 Farmer St. Tour goers are invited to stop by at either 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. for a special presentation and visit to the slave cemetery located on the property.
NCHS Executive Director, Larisa Scott notes, “This tour grows in popularity each year. People look forward to it. Last year I had a conflict and for the first time in seven years I was unavailable to produce it, but it’s back and I’m thrilled that so many people have been calling to ask about tickets. This year the research done on the individuals is even deeper and richer and we’ve got several surprises up our sleeves. Longtime cemetery tour scriptwriter Michael Scott has been hard at work weaving the narratives together and we’ve enlisted the help of local theater professional, Jeni Dees to assist with casting and a few scripts. There is a lot included in this ticket and it is sure to be an autumn night to remember. We hope everyone will come out with family or friends to support our local history center, the McRitchie-Hollis Museum and to also enjoy delicious food and take part in this once a year unique community event that helps us better understand our town’s history and those who came before us. Newnan is even more fun when you have knowledge of its past. Also, the “Mad for Pumpkins” museum tour is an added bonus. Four local decorators have volunteered their time and talent to bring the museum to life with pumpkins and fall decor. I can’t wait to see it myself. And the additional visit to the slave cemetery is bound to be a powerful experience. Associates of the African-American Heritage Museum are working hard to make that special.”
After checking in at the courtyard behind the McRitchie-Hollis Museum, guests will meet their costumed tour guide portraying someone notable from local history such as Heddy Dunaway, Minnie Pearl, and others. The fun begins immediately as the guides tell their own stories connected to Newnan’s remarkable past. Ticket holders are then escorted into Oak Hill’s oldest section where local history gets up close and real.
While the tour takes place in the month of Halloween, the tone and atmosphere remains one of respect and reverence. By highlighting Newnan’s Oak Hill cemetery, the stories of the deceased are perpetuated and the memory of these former citizens celebrated. “The event continues to bring life to a historic area of town that has much to explore,” says Scott.
The guided walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins and ends at the McRichie-Hollis. Guests are invited to come early or linger later for music, the museum tour, and merriment in the back courtyard at the museum. If eating before the tour, Scott recommends arriving at least an hour in advance. The last two tours will not be able to eat at the food truck afterwards, so Scott encourages those guests to arrive early to take advantage of the food truck, live music, and museum tour. All guests who are not eating and touring the house in advance should still arrive 30 minutes early to check-in. Parking is available off Clark St. behind the museum. Extra items such as cookies, cupcakes, and drinks in a commemorative cup are available for purchase in the back garden area.
Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com or paper tickets at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum at 74 Jackson St., Questions? Review the thorough information offered on eventbrite.com or call the museum at 770-251-0207.
