Reenactors will speak about the GAR memorial at Pine Hill Cemetery during the “Grave Conversations: Pine Hill Cemetery Veterans Speak” on May 18. (SUBMITTED)The Westfield News
WESTFIELD – On Sunday, May 18, Pine Hill Cemetery will offer “Grave Conversations: Pine Hill Cemetery Veterans Speak,” a half-mile historical walking tour that will feature eight of the cemetery’s honored military veterans portrayed by local and costumed actors. The 20-minute tours will begin at 1 p.m., with the last tour beginning at 2:40 p.m.
Presale tickets may be purchased for $10 at the Westfield Athenaeum or online atPineHillVeteransSpeak.eventbrite.com — fees apply to online purchases. Limited tickets will also be available for purchase for $15 on the day of the event at the check-in table located at the Grand Army of the Republican GAR monument, where the tours will also start.
The veterans being honored range from the Civil War to WWII heroes from various military service branches. Reenactors will recount their time in service and the sacrifices they made for the cause of freedom.
The Westfield Athenaeum will also feature a display to honor the veterans on the tour. Before attending the tours, as well as a few days after the tours, attendees may visit the Athenaeum at 6 Elm Street to view various photos and several artifacts that actually belonged to some of the heroes whose stories will be told on May 18.
A WWII U.S. Navy jacket will be displayed that belonged to Maryann Ochs Douglas. She served as a Link Trainer Instructor where she trained Naval pilots to fly in the revolutionary aerial flight simulator.
Also displayed at the Athenaeum will be historical photos and the bible of Edwin R. Lay, who served honorably for the Union Army during the Civil War and was a charitable philanthropist and distinguished member of the community. Lay’s charity extended to the Lyon post of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) and the G.A.R. plot at Pine Hill Cemetery, with his donation of the impressive monument to honor the veterans laid to rest there, the starting point for the May 18 tours.
Other veterans featured on the tours will be Francis Ash, Civil War veteran, Cleo Frisbie, WWII nurse, George Webb, Civil War veteran, Louise Toombs, WWII Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, Eva Mitchell, WWI nurse and Richard Vincent, WWII Marine.
The event is presented by the Friends of Pine Hill Cemetery, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Pine Hill Cemetery. The group is devoted to fundraising, historical research, education through community events, and the overall betterment of the cemetery.
Kali Fantakis, superintendent of Pine Hill Cemetery, said the Friends of Pine Hill Cemetery were “thrilled” to partner again this year with the Westfield State English Department and work with a student intern script writer.
“Our incredibly talented script writer, Courtney Berthiaume, is a junior at the university majoring in English with a concentration in writing. She composed the compelling stories of our eight featured veterans with great care and attention to detail. We were very lucky to work with such an exceptional young writer. Courtney looks forward to seeing her writing come to life with you all on May 18,” Fantakis said.
All tour proceeds support the continued restoration of the historic Henry Lyman Parks Memorial Chapel located inside the cemetery’s main gate. This historic chapel was donated by Robert W. Parks in memory of his son, Henry Lyman. Henry was born in 1870 and at the time of his death resided with his parents at 69 Court Street in Westfield. He died in 1893 at the age of twenty-two from an enlarged heart.
Henry, his parents, and other members of the Parks family are laid to rest in the R.W. Parks Mausoleum, located to the east of the Parks Chapel. Built in 1894, the chapel is made of granite and red sandstone. It has three round stained glass windows. For many years, the chapel was used by the community for funeral services. The Chapel will be open to the public for viewing on May 18.
Pine Hill Cemetery’s main gate is located at 117 Court Street in Westfield. Parking for the tours is available at the Highland Elementary School across the street at 34 Western Avenue. A shuttle bus will be at the school to bring visitors to and from the cemetery, if needed.
A rain date for the tours has been set for May 31.
More information may be found on the Facebook page “Friends of Pine Hill Cemetery – Westfield, MA.”
