NORRISTOWN PA – A guided night walking tour of historic Montgomery Cemetery, and a special moon watch, are planned for Aug. 19 (2024; Monday) in Norristown.
Barry Rauhauser, executive director of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, will lead the evening expedition starting at 7:15 p.m. at the cemetery, 1 Hartranft Ave. Rauhauser will talk about prominent people buried in its plots. He also will point skyward and engage participants to watch the moon rise (at about 8 p.m.) in the distance.
With almost 6,000 known burials, the cemetery holds the remains of some of the most prominent citizens, veterans and reformers in the county and nation. They include five Civil War generals, several captains of industry, and more than 400 veterans from the War of 1812 through the Korean War.
The cemetery is no longer an active burial ground, but is preserved as a link to the past. It tells the story of the nation through the lives it represents, the society explains.
After the tour, its members will watch the rising of the fully illuminated “Sturgeon Moon.” It occurs as a full moon arises when Earth is precisely sandwiched between the sun and the moon. The alignment ensures the entire side of the moon that faces us gleams from reflected sunlight.
Tickets for the event cost $10 per person. They are available for purchase from the society by calling 610-272-0297, or by sending an e-mail to contact@hsmcpa.org. Free parking will be available within the cemetery gates.
Can’t make it to the August event? A similar tour and moon watch (but not of the Sturgeon Moon) also is planned for Sept. 17 (Tuesday) at the cemetery.
Coming soon, an introduction to genealogy
Looking to conduct some research of your family tree, but don’t know how or where to start? You may be interested in the society’s “Introduction to Genealogy” class. It’s scheduled for Sept. 11 (Wednesday) from 6-8 p.m. at the society offices, 1654 DeKalb St.
Society Curator Karen Ploch offers tricks and tools to get participants started as genealogical detectives. She will discuss fundamentals of genealogy research. They include how to start making a family tree, where to find supporting documents, and how to surmount research problems and roadblocks.
Tickets for the genealogy class cost $15 for the public, but it is offered free to society members. Reservations are required because seating is limited. Tickets are available from the society by calling 610-272-0297, or by sending an e-mail to contact@hsmcpa.org.
Photo provided to Travels With The Post by the Historical Society of Montgomery County
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