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Fancy Me Mad: Tales from Edgar Allan Poe and a walking tour of the St.John’s graveyard

Fancy Me Mad: Tales from Edgar Allan Poe and a walking tour of the St.John’s graveyard this Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. $5/person or $15/family of four.

On Saturday, October 26, 2013, join us for a self-guided walking tour of the graveyard. We will have many spirits represented at their grave sites, including Poe’s mother Eliza, George Wythe’s murderous nephew George Sweeney, Union spy Elizabeth Van Lew, and gunsmith murder/suicide victim James McNaught.

The highlight of the evening will take place at 7:00, when actor Charles Wissinger, as Edgar Allan Poe, will capture the audience with his tales. Organist Cheryl Van Ornam will complete the setting with appropriately spooky pieces.

The gates open at 6:00 PM for touring. The church doors open at 6:45 PM for seating and music. Poe begins his tales at 7:00 PM. (There will be no admittance to the church after 7:00 PM.) Self-guided tours continue from 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM. The Visitor’s Center will be open until 8:00 PM with light refreshments.

Amy Swartz, Programs and Preservation Director of St. John’s Church Foundation, said, “This event will be a fun way to learn about Richmond’s first cemetery and its’ connection to Poe. This is also a chance for the public to check out the restoration of the oldest monument in the graveyard. The Rose Monument was recently named to Virginia’s 10 most endangered artifacts list by the Virginia Association of Museums. As a result, the monument underwent critical repair and cleaning.”

The cost is $5.00 per person or $15.00 for a family of four. Tickets can be purchased at the front gate on the day of the event. Feel free to bring your flashlights!

The churchyard is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. seven days a week. A map of the churchyard can be obtained at the Visitor Center. For more information on Fancy Me Mad, hours of operation and tours go to www.historicstjohnschurch.org or call 804-648-5015.