11th ARMCHAIR CEMETERY TOUR A HIT

By Iris Mead

MARGARETVILLE — With 10 years of cemetery walking tours in many of the local cemeteries under their belt, the Historical Society of Middletown (HSM) presented their 2025 Armchair Cemetery Tour where visitors from the afterlife share their stories. This year it was held inside The Open Eye Theater. This departure was brought on by the unpredictable weather, the age of the audience and the realization that the comfort of a theater chair does make for a more relaxed “walking” tour.

With 120+ attendees over three performances and standing room only on Sunday, the cast brought to life seven local residents whose lives were interesting for different reasons. Highlighted by Narrator, Kent Brown, were Fannie Hubbell, brought to life by Rebecca Newman, Boaz Searle, early physician, played by Ward Stevenson, Mathew Halcott, first postmaster of his namesake Halcottsville, depicted by Burr Hubbell, Maria Haner, mother and wife of two Civil War casualties, portrayed by Amy Taylor, Tillie Edelstein, aka Gertrude Berg/Molly Goldberg (buried in the Clovesville Cemetery), and brought to life by Adrienne Gusoff, and appearing together as they were friends in life, Bryan Burgin, with John Bernhardt in that role, and Frank Ryan as Burton Tubbs. The script written by Marge Helenchild, Diane Galusa, Terry Bradshaw and Mary Barile brought these characters to life in sad and humorous ways. New to the production this year were Frank Ryan and Adrienne Gusoff. John Bernhardt has appeared in every cemetery tour since its inception. Armchair tours will continue as there are many local stories waiting to be told in a cemetery near you.

The Middletown History Center, 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville, is open the first Friday and Saturday of the month from 10 to 2. Next open days are Sept. 5 and 6. For more information on HSM events visit mtownhistory.org where there is much more local history to be enjoyed.