Model Ts join reenactors for cemetery walk
Figures from the past, both human and automotive, appeared under the bright sun Saturday at the North Side Cemetery, 1002 N. Main St.
The Echoes From Our Past historic cemetery tour by the Butler County Historical Society returned for two sessions at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
This year the historical reenactors were joined at the 11 a.m. session by 10 Model T Ford models from 1914 to 1917 courtesy of the Western Pennsylvanian Model T Ford Club. Those on the 11 a.m. tour could view the cars lined up near the chapel/check-in area.
During Echoes From Our Past, people walk from grave to grave to hear actors in period costume discuss the lives of people from Butler County’s past.
For this, the ninth annual cemetery tour, the biggest fundraiser for the society, Sara Dickensheets, the society’s collections manager, said the 11 a.m. tour was completely sold out of its 100 tickets, while the 2:30 tour was 80% filled.
“We do a lot of genealogical research and put together a script that tells their incredible story,” said Dickensheets of the historical figures who are scattered across the cemetery. “We give the scripts to the actors who memorize their script.
Jennifer Ford, executive director of the society, said months of research and writing went into selecting the historical figures to be represented.
“As social historians, we are very interested in putting their stories into context, what were the times they were living through,” said Ford.
One of the reenactors, Stuart Ford, a professional actor from the Pittsburgh area, portrayed James McMarlin, a Civil War veteran and member of a well-known pioneer family.
“It took a few weeks to get the script down,” Ford said of his six-minute monologue on the lives of McMarlin and his descendants. He will have acted it 12 times before the cemetery tour ended. This was his third time taking part in the cemetery walk.
“I love working with this fantastic organization. I love telling these stories,” he said.
Returning to the role of Sophia Hollak, an immigrant from Eastern Europe in the late 1800s who settled in Lyndora, was Sharon Chernik, who recounted the story of Hollak’s life including her five sons who all served in World War II.
“They rewrote the script,” she said. “Before they focused on her husband. Frankly, I like the good human side of her.”
If Chernik was a veteran, the Model Ts were making their debut appearance at the cemetery walk.
Dickensheets said historical society board member Brad Pflugh knew members of the Model T club and got them to bring their vintage cars to the cemetery as part of one of the club’s outings.
Simon Neubert, of Saxonburg, the club’s event coordinator, said the club brought 10 cars and their owners to the cemetery for the morning session.
“We’re only here for the first tour, and then we are going out for a ride because that’s what’s fun to drive and enjoy your vehicles,” said Neubert.
He said he’s taken his Speedster to Pikes Peak, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore.
The club has 37 members and 30 cars all from Butler County he added.
The club helped him get his Model T road-worthy.
“The car parts were donated by the club. With the help of many mentors, now friends of mine, we put it together,” said Neubert.
He added maintaining the vintage cars was surprisingly easy because parts were readily available.
“Firestone still makes tires for the Model T. At one time there were 16 million. There’s still a half million around,” he said.
Ford said there are plans for another cemetery walk in the fall, a slightly different version that will concentrate on the first families of Butler County such as the Sullivans and the Lowries.
