By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—There are a LOT of people who want to know more about the history of their community. A huge crowd—estimated at over 400 people—turned out for today’s tour of the historic Paris City Cemetery. With the title “Tales of the Crypt”, volunteers told the stories of the famous and infamous who are buried in the city’s oldest cemetery, including Congressman John Crockett and other family members of Frontiersman David Crockett, family members of Adventurer Richard Halliburton, Governor James Porter, Paris’ earliest millionaires E.W. Grove and O.C. Barton and more.
Organizers of the event were the Henry County Cemetery Committee and the Downtown Paris Association and proceeds will go toward cemetery restoration and maintenance. $1,400 was raised at the event.
Dozens of volunteers portrayed persons of note buried in the cemetery and Rev. Kenneth Humphreys told the stories of the African-Americans buried in a section of the cemetery in unmarked graves. A monument to them was installed at the cemetery by the city several years ago.
Other volunteers included American Heritage Girls, local Scouts and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was on hand with their ‘gator’ vehicle to transport handicapped or elderly people through the cemetery for the tours.
A display of early caskets by Ridgeway Funeral Home was placed at the entrance of the cemetery. Local history books also were for sale during the tours.
Organizers were extremely pleased with the turnout and are considering making the event an annual one.
Photos by Shannon McFarlin.
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