If you want to know about a town, a good place to start is its cemeteries. And that is strikingly true of the Wake Forest Cemetery on North White Street with the adjoining Mangum Cemetery on Taylor Street. Together, those headstones and the stories of those buried there provide a tapestry of lives and endeavors over the 180 years there has been a Wake Forest.
College presidents and professors, slaves and household servants, businessmen both black and white, farmers, mayors, dentists and doctors. Fools or the famous – they are all here.
Come to find out some of those stories Saturday, May 10, when the town’s Cemetery Advisory Board hosts the annual cemetery tour from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The rain date is May 17.
Once again family members and volunteers will be at many of the graves to talk about those buried there and sometimes exhibit photographs or other memorabilia.
Frank Powell and other members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be on hand to talk about the local soldiers who served in the War Between the States. They add drama with their Confederate uniforms and regalia, including Civil War firearms, always a draw for young and old. There will also be ladies in costumes of the era and Scottish bagpipe players John and Emily Sprague.
Members of the Wake Forest Junior ROTC under the direction of Colonel Dimitri Belmont will be the color guard at the opening ceremony and will also provide help with parking.
Parents are encouraged to bring their children. This year there will be a special hand-out for children highlighting interesting artifacts on the grounds.
Parking is available on the grounds. The event is free and open to the public
