Costumed docents bring history to life at 28th annual Elgin Cemetery Walk

Join the 28th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at the cemetery, 945 Bluff City Blvd. on Elgin's far southeast side.

Visitors will learn all about the Bluff City Cemetery from costumed docents while being introduced to fascinating and thrilling characters brought to life by volunteer actors. This year's portrayals include a prominent, well-known business man who introduced paper roofing materials to Elgin, a New York native who founded Elgin, a woman who owned a well-known popcorn shop and many more.

• James T. Gifford, founder of Elgin in 1835, originally from New York state.

• Annetta Jens, owner of Jens Popcorn Shop in downtown Elgin.

• Emeline Church Borden, third wife of Gail Borden who invented condensed milk and mother of the Church brothers who donated Gail Borden Library.

• Bernhard Hagelow who introduced paper-roofing materials to Elgin, as well as a wholesale and retail liquor seller.

• Emily and David Scofield; David founded a well -nown tree nursery in Elgin in 1852, and Emily was the daughter of Cyrus and Sarah Larkin.

Parking is on Bluff City Boulevard, outside of the cemetery. Tours run about 90 minutes. Wait times for a tour group are highest between noon and 1:30 p.m. The last tour leaves at 3 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine. Guests are advised to wear good shoes and note that this year's cemetery walk will involve the older, hilly section of the cemetery.

Tickets are available at Ace Hardware in Elgin at 215 N. Spring St. and 1158 Lillian St., at the museum, or online through the museum store. Discount for advance purchase! Group rates available for groups of 10 or more.

For information, visit elginhistory.org or call the Elgin History Museum at (847) 742-4248. Follow the Elgin History Museum on Facebook.