Cemetery tours scheduled Sunday

Cemetery tours scheduled Sunday

The Ann Arbor Historic District Commission will be sponsoring walking tours of historic Forest Hill Cemetery on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m.

For modern children, a cemetery conjures up delightful images of spooks and mystery, though most adults prefer to avoid all thoughts of cemeteries as long as possible. But these walking tours will attempt to recapture the Victorians’ sentimental approach to cemeteries — as pleasant park-like places, perfect for a picnic or a Sunday stroll, said a commission spokesman.

Tour guides will provide insight into local history by relating stories about many of the people buried at Forest Hill Cemetery. Elisha Walker Rumsey, co-founder of Ann Arbor, and many other early settlers are buried there.

Tours will begin at the gate house entrance, at the corner of Geddes and Observatory. After about an hour’s stroll, the groups will see one of Wystan Stevens’ slide shows at Stockwell Hall’s lounge.