July 27, 2005

Mackinac Island, Mich. - As night falls across Mackinac Island's three secluded cemeteries, characters from the island's distant past tell their stories. A lighthouse keeper is lost at sea. An Irish servant girl tells of her wealthy employer returning from his own funeral service. A mother laments the loss of her children.

"Tombstone Tales," on Wednesday, Aug. 10, features a guided walking tour of Mackinac Island's Post, St. Anne's Catholic and Protestant cemeteries. The cemeteries are located on Garrison Road, a half-mile north of Fort Mackinac within Mackinac Island State Park. Tours begin between 8 and 9 p.m., with later groups experiencing more darkness - and more creepiness.

"Tombstone Tales" offers eight vignettes and a summary presentation for tour-takers. Prices are $35 for families, $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6-17, and free for children 5 and under and Mackinac Associates members (except heritage members). Tickets are available at the Post cemetery or in advance at Fort Mackinac and the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor's Center. Ferry service to Mackinaw City continues until 10 p.m.

Some characters featured on the tour are based on a 16-page history of the Mackinac Island Post Cemetery by Mackinac State Historic Parks Director Phil Porter.  The book can be purchased on the tour and at all Mackinac State Historic Parks museum stores for $3.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, is an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  The sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek, and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City.  The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums.  More information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com, and by phone at (906) 847-3328 or (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.