West Chicago's 'Tales Tombstones Tell' to focus on stories of local Civil War veterans

West Chicago, Illinois: September 18, 2012 - For the past 22 years the West Chicago City Museum has been showcasing the rich history of our community on the first Friday evening in October. The 23rd annual Tales Tombstones Tell program will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012 in Oakwood Cemetery, at York Street and Oakwood Avenue.

Take a stroll through West Chicago's oldest cemetery, with lanterns and candlelight illuminating your path. Costumed interpreters are your hosts, revealing the life stories of former residents who served in the American Civil War, now buried in Oakwood Cemetery. The stories of the lives of these men tell tales common to many of our ancestors and transcend our town's borders.

Tales Tombstones Tell is appropriate for families, is based on historical fact uncovered through new research, and does not contain ghost stories. Tours, which last 45 minutes, begin at 6:30 p.m. and run continuously about every 10 minutes, with the last tour getting started at 7:45 pm. No reservations are taken, it's first come, first served. If the weather is inclement the program is cancelled.

Refreshments will be served after the program in St. Mary's Church basement. For twenty-one years St. Mary's has graciously provided a place for visitors to relax and refresh while they reflect on the stories just heard.

Although the program is free, donations are encouraged. For more information, please call the Museum at (630) 231-3376 or email museum@westchicago.org.