Historic Cemetery Tour

Spirits from the historic burying-ground of Christ Episcopal Church, Stratford, will come alive as costumed re-enactors representing ship captains, Revolutionary War and War of 1812 veterans, craftsmen, abolitionists, and church notables stand by their graves and relate their life stories.  Among these are the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, first permanent rector and first president of King’s College (now Columbia University), and his son William Samuel Johnson, framer and signer of the U.S. Constitution, Connecticut senator, and also a president of Columbia College.  Susan Edwards Johnson, his daughter-in-law, will be available to talk about her two famous granddaughters, suffragist Lillie Devereux Blake and founder of the DAR Susan Hudson.  

This event is family-friendly, and visitors are invited to ask questions of the re-enactors, and examine their artifacts, recreations of historical documents, tools, and other objects related to the time period. 

Children may use a “hunt” to explore the burying-ground, which also features a tree descended from a Charter Oak seedling and gates donated by Columbia University in honor of its two past presidents. 

Adult tickets for the tour are $5, children are $2.50, and family tickets are $15.  Proceeds go towards the maintenance of the graveyard and its stones.

The rain date is Sunday, October 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.  More information is available from the church office at 203-375-4447 or by emailing ccstratford@att.net.  The church’s FaceBook page (Christ Episcopal Church Stratford CT) features photos of past tours as well as information on this year’s tour.

A feature of this year's tour is a used book sale located in the church's parish hall at 2000 Main Street. Refreshments will be served at the book sale from 2-4.