Twenty years ago …
Twenty is a big number, especially with one’s memory, but I clearly remember receiving my first phone call from Mr. Walton Moore. He explained that he and his wife really enjoyed my newspaper columns in the local newspaper.
Oh my, flattery will go far.
But the two invited me to walk through Rose Hill Cemetery with them. You know, take a tour, so I grabbed Hubs and we accepted the invitation.
Well, I admit that I was looking for a purpose. I had taken an early retirement because General Motors closed their operations in Meridian, and I was ready to go anyway, I admit.
But I never thought my purpose could be found in a cemetery.
Good grief!
But Mr. Moore and his wife, Lee, were so charming and delightful I felt myself joining them with their passion.
Their passion was Rose Hill Cemetery.
I began immediately taking notes. I followed Mr. Moore like a Redbone Hound and put his phone number on direct dial.
Lee and I became the best of friends, calling each other weekly.
They are both gone now and oh, how I miss them.
But back 20 years ago, I began my trek through the world of Rose Hill.
Mr. Moore said, over and over, in Rose Hill Cemetery I want a walking tour like the one in Natchez.
Gulp! I knew the one in Natchez was world-renowned. But heck, that didn’t slow me down. Not at all. I figured if Natchez can do, so can we!
So, I began the logistics, story by story and inviting the storytellers I knew who might take a part.
We first met in the room reserved for Lauderdale County Supervisors. It was little scary, for a few minutes, Then, we were off.
It took almost two years to organize the first tour, but we finally had the courage to present the very first Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour. We had 10 stories to present, which included Kelly Mitchell, Gypsy Queen of North America.
As we all took our places that afternoon, we had said that if we have 200 attendees we would consider the tour a success. The local press reported an estimated 4,000 people were there. They were lined down 8th Street for two long blocks.
We were nervous and excited at the same time.
I must say the cemetery tour was a success although long. I remember picking up trash and returning props to the right owner for a long time. Finally, Hubs announced in a weary voice.
“Ya’ll, it’s 1:30 in the AM.”
Could it be? We were having fun, teaching local history and assisting the crowd to the gate.
The first tour was in the books. I am not sure of the total number, but a tremendous amount.
The funny thing is that the people wanted to know more, and so I, along with our committed storytellers, spent hours during the next year discussing logistics ideas. We researched and practiced storytelling techniques. We answered the call of local group who “needed a program.”
Lee and Walton Moore stood to the side with big grins upon their faces.
Right away, Mr. Ward Calhoun, then Director of Lauderdale County Archives & History, became an adviser to the group, along with Richard Whitehead of the Hamasa Shriners. I had all of their numbers on my direct dial.
And this Saturday we, the storytellers, will once again tell the stories of people buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. We hope you will come and support us.
Anne McKee is executive director of the Meridian Railroad Museum. See her website: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.