2nd annual “Voices from Eureka’s Silent City” cemetery tour
The Eureka Springs Historical Museum will be hosting its 2nd annual “Voices from Eureka’s Silent City” cemetery tour this year on October 15th & 16th and 29th & 30th.
The numerous “healing” springs in the area, long visited by Native Americans, became known to the rest of the world in the late 1800s and quickly became a mecca for those seeking relief and cures for their various afflictions. Almost overnight, the population grew to over 10,000 and soon there were hotels, boarding houses, doctors, lawyers, brothels, funeral homes, general stores, snake oil salesmen, churches, and the spa city was born. As with most boomtowns, the population was a diverse mix of personalities.
Although the population has diminished since those days, the eccentricity of the residents has endured. Eureka has remained a complex stew of passionate and unique individuals creating a wealth of material for the Voices’ cast.
Meant to entertain rather than scare, the “living” history tour features live actors in costume playing the roles of early citizens of Eureka Springs reminiscing about their past. Some of the characters were pillars of the community and some were figures whose colorful, outrageous or scandalous behavior helped shape the history and the myths of the town. The first tour featured 11 characters including the infamous ax wielding prohibitionist, Carrie Nation. This year, nine different citizens of the Silent City have been asked to share their stories.
Volunteers in period clothing host and lead the tours. This is an approximately one hour walking tour that includes 5 minute stops with each “citizen.” Tours are scheduled to start around 5:00 P.M. and will leave every half hour. After dusk, participants will be led by guides with lanterns, luminarias will light the path and torches will mark the way all creating an atmosphere befitting the tales.
A limited number of hay bales will be along the path and at the speakers’ locations for those who need to rest a spell. After the the last stop, light refreshments will be available.
The Voices from Eureka’s Silent City tour promises history lessons from those who lived it and a truly memorable and entertaining experience. The saga is just beginning. The town cemetery holds hundreds of fascinating stories waiting to be told.
The tour is a fundraising project of the members of the Eureka Springs Historical Museum. Proceeds are used to finance daily operations, special exhibits and on-going restoration projects.
For more information please contact the director, Ginni Miller, at the museum:
479/253-9417 or email info@eurekaspringshistoricalmuseum.org. Visit our website at www.eurekasprings.com.
