When Byron-Bergen senior Libby Piper and her mom, Byron-Bergen teacher Heather Painting, went on local ghost tours, she thought, “Bergen could do this.”
This year, Piper and Painting began planning a local historical ghost tour. They started by speaking to the Bergen Historical Society, who provided information about the people buried at Mount Rest Cemetery.
Next, it was finding actors to portray the former residents – so Piper decided to get the community involved.
“I thought it would be a great idea to involve the school in the Bergen community,” said Piper. “Some of the drama students agreed to portray the people that are buried in the cemetery.”
Prior to the event, Bergen Mayor Anna Marie Barclay worked with Piper and Painting to organize an event in Hickory Park to complement the ghost tour. There were food trucks and performances by The Charlie Mitchell Group, and tickets to the ghost tours sold out – even after adding additional tour slots. The front pavilion was decorated with Halloween ghosts and witches, Young Life sold pumpkins, student-made scarecrows were displayed, proposals for park plantings were presented, Greg’ry’s served baked goods, and ice cream treats were sold by the Methodist Church. Attendees had dinner, enjoyed music, and went on the ghost tour. There were approximately 250 people in attendance, with between 90 and 100 people taking the tour.
“As a retired teacher, I am always looking for opportunities to work with students, include them in community activities, and bring the community together,” said Barclay. “This seemed an opportunity to do so.”
The event also ended up being a way to honor former village historian Ray MacConnell, who recently died.
The historical ghost tour featured students and faculty members dressed as deceased members of the Bergen community who are buried in Mount Rest Cemetery in the village. The “ghosts” told stories of events in their lives as the “tourists” made their way through the cemetery. The stories they told were from MacConnell’s writings and research.
Byron-Bergen drama teacher Larry Tallman participated as a ghost on the ghost tour. He took on the role of Eaton Mann, an eclectic Batavian photographer and musician.
“It was incredibly exciting to have that opportunity, to have a student take that initiative, and to come up with such a creative way to raise money,” said Tallman. “It was even more exciting for me to be a part of the whole thing as an actor and being directed by my student.”
Piper and Barclay have heard nothing but positive feedback and are looking forward to expanding the event for next year with more ghosts, tour slots, and community involvement.
“Just yesterday, Mr. McGee stopped me in the hallway and told me he’s heard nothing but great things about it, so that was really great for me to hear,” said Piper. “I’ve received lots and lots of positive feedback about it.”
Due to the amount of input and effort, Piper decided that the proceeds from the ghost tours and festival would be donated to the Byron-Bergen drama department, the Cemetery Association, and the Bergen Historical Society. In its first year, the event raised $900.
Provided information and photos
Byron-Bergen students and faculty members dressed as community members buried at Mount Rest Cemetery to tell the stories.
