Doug Hansen & Peggy Peffley. Photo by Mike Tupper
MEET THE PIONEERS – October 12 & 13
As Autumn returns to Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley on September 22, so does our annual fall cemetery program called Meet The Pioneers in October. This will be our 7th year of bringing living history to our beautiful cemetery, high on a hillside overlooking Jacksonville. Each year our fabulous and creative Player Spirits share new and different stories with our visitors, as tour groups are guided through the torch-lit cemetery grounds. This is such a perfect and entertaining way to learn the history of Jacksonville and Southern Oregon.
From left: Carolyn Kingsnorth, Constance Jesser and Terry Erdmann. Phot by Mike Tupper
Some of this year’s fun and interesting stories are: Jacksonville’s Last Hanging – Listen in as the Judge Lionel Webster passes sentence on James O’Neill for the murder of Lewis McDaniel.
Transportation in and out of Jacksonville in the 1800’s – Ever wonder what it must have been like to travel by stagecoach? Listen in as a very nervous and excited Mrs. Margaret McMenzie Savage awaits the arrival of the stage from Portland to travel on to California and beyond.
Social life of Jacksonville’s Young Ladies – Meet Effie Prim and her daughters Bertha and Maud as they prepare for the Glorious Fourth of July and learn about the various activities and events that young ladies of the time were expected to be involved in.
The First Oregonian to die in the Civil War – Hear the story of young Captain James W. Lingenfelter as told by his friend as fellow attorney, Benjamin Franklin Dowell.
These and several other wonderful stories await you on this year’s Meet the Pioneers cemetery tours on Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, 2012. Tours depart every 15 minutes starting at 4:00 p.m. with the last tour departing at 7:30 p.m. on both days. All tours will depart from the “D” Street parking lot where your Tour Shuttle Bus, courtesy of our good friends at Pioneer Village, will take you up to hill to start your tour. Please plan on arriving no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, September 12, at the Jacksonville Visitor and Information Center located next to the Post Office or by calling 541 899-8118. Tickets are sold by departure time of the tour.
Ticket prices this year are: Adults $12, Children (12 and under) $5, Family (up to 2 adults & 3 children) $29.
The entire 2011 talented cast. Photo by Mike Tupper
As this has been a sell-out event in the past, we strongly suggest buying your tickets early to avoid being disappointed. Tickets will be sold at the event but, only on a space available basis.
May we suggest that if you are a family with young children, or someone who may require additional time in getting around, to take one of our early tours. Tours may not be suitable for very young children and please no pets on the tour for safety reasons. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
This program is a production of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery with the assistance of our Event Partner, the Jacksonville Boosters Club. All proceeds help to support the ongoing restoration and preservation efforts in the cemetery as well as the Boosters support for community based projects.
Please visit our web site for additional information on this and other cemetery events as well as pictures from last years Meet the Pioneers at: www.friendsjvillecemetery.org
Photo by Mike Tupper
HISTORY SATURDAYS – Second Saturdays (except October), 10-11:30am
Wonderful tours and lessons about our Historic Cemetery. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tours are free – no reservations required. Donations are always appreciated! www.friendsjvillecemetery.org
RESTORATION PROJECTS
Mueller Block BEFORE
The Jacksonville, Oregon Cemetery is VERY fortunate to have Dirk Siedlecki, who gathers volunteers, donors and who also created The Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. Along with handling many restorations himself, along with his brother Lee, Dirk organizes Cemetery Clean-ups, fundraisers, History Saturdays, Meet the Pioneers, and wonderful major restoration projects like the Mueller Block.
Dirk tells the Review, “The restoration work on the Max Muller Block was completed in late July and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Visitors passing the site comment on how well preserved the curbing and fence are with no idea that major restoration work was recently completed. Thanks to Jim Oleson, of Oleson Concrete Construction in Jacksonville, and Malcolm Schubert of Integrity Iron Works, the restoration work was accomplished with great care and attention to detail given this historic site. Thank you again to all who have made donations and attend our cemetery events and activities that support our ongoing restoration and preservation efforts.”
Mueller Block AFTER
Next time you’re in the cemetery be sure to stop by and check out the finished project. The Max and Louisa Muller Block is located in the Masonic Section, under the trees and just up from the Beekman and Margaret Love gravesites.
Dirk J. Siedlecki – President FOJHC