Stories of local legends and spirits will return with a live performance when SUNY Oswego's storytelling class presents the 9th annual Oswego Town Rural Cemetery: Ghost and History Storytelling Tour at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Under the direction of professor Jonel Langenfeld of Oswego's theatre faculty, costumed storytellers bring the tales of local historical figures to life in this admission-free family-friendly event.

Performers will recount the stories of university founder Edward Austin Sheldon; Mary Walker, the local women’s rights pioneer and only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, the first woman in history to have a military fort named in her honor: Fort Walker, who also is getting her visage on a U.S. quarter; Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman; Queen Lili’uokalni Kamaka'eha (and her Oswego connection to Walker); Saint Marianne Cope; Chief Pontiac; university library namesake Lida Penfield; Richard Shineman; Audrey Munson (considered to be the “first supermodel”); and many more.

“I am very proud of the students in the storytelling class and their passion for sharing the stories of famous and not-so-famous historical figures residing in this and other local and regional cemeteries,” said Langenfeld, who teaches the interdisciplinary course. 

Organizers expanded stories to be inclusive of other areas of importance including indigenous peoples and various other cultural groups whose presence has had, and continues to have, a profound effect on this area, she added.  

“The students have a great time researching the area where they go to school and its people of the past,” Langenfeld noted. “They especially embrace the social justice aspect. Students learn a great deal about Oswego, gaining greater respect and understanding of the university, the people, the region and its history. They also learn the value of understanding everyone’s story and telling it in a truthful and meaningful way."

The production will once again involve a collaboration with George Demass, Oswego Town historian and a 1966 SUNY Oswego alumnus; the Oswego Town Historical Association; professor Candis Haak of the SUNY Oswego history faculty and her "Death, Data and Local Cemeteries" course; as well as all the campus and local community volunteers and businesses whose support and dedication help make the cemetery show experience a success.

For the fall 2024 edition, Langenfeld is excited to welcome the River’s End Bookstore and Fort Ontario Historical Society, who will have tables with information and items for sale commemorating the life of Walker, who is being honored this year for her service not only to Oswego, but the women’s movement, women in medicine and the military in the United States as well as many other parts of the world.

Admission is free and sponsored by the Oswego Town Historical Society and the SUNY Oswego Theatre and History Departments.

New production format

Due to overwhelming popularity and attendance, organizers made adjustments to the production format and attendance process to provide the best possible guest experience while protecting the integrity of the cemetery grounds, Langenfeld said. Organizers once again ask for patience as they continue to integrate the new approach. 

The Oct. 26 performance has a start time of 2 p.m. to allow for the two-part structure. The timeline below is an estimate:

From 2 to 3:15 p.m.

  • Part I: The first act will take place under a tent, separate from the walking tour, in a separate part of the cemetery. Attendees will enjoy stories by beloved people not actually buried in the Oswego Rural Cemetery, but who have had a huge impact on the town and city of Oswego, SUNY Oswego as well as other parts of the United States. These figures include Edward Austin Sheldon, Lida Penfield, Ruth Gruber, Richard Shineman, Harriet Tubman, Queen Lili’uoKalani of Hawaii and others.

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. (approximately):

  • Part II: The second act will be the walking tour portion of the show and will feature such people as Mary Walker and James Lee, both recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

This year there will be one walking tour. Anyone interested in walking through the cemetery and visiting the gravesites to hear the stories of those buried there will follow along all at once. 

Other items of note:

  • Cemetery History Trivia: For those not participating in the walking tour portion of the event, there will be the opportunity to play trivia, for fun and local prizes.
  • Free cider and donuts will be served,
  • Merchandise with the cemetery show logo will also be for sale with all proceeds going to the Oswego Town Historical Association.
  • Ticket reservations: Since tickets sell out quickly, organizers strongly encourage reserving early. When tickets are gone, they are gone. There are 200 tickets available,
  • Attendees must reserve a free ticket online at: tickets.oswego.edu.
  • Your ticket will allow you free bus transport to and from the SUNY Oswego campus to the cemetery.
  • You will need your ticket to enter the performance, so keep it safe.
  • Your ticket printout will contain important information, so make sure to read it carefully.

Parking and transportation

To protect the integrity of the cemetery grounds and provide a better guest experience, there will be no general parking allowed at the cemetery unless you have accessibility needs or obtain prior approval.

  • Free mandatory on-campus parking with bus transportation will be provided to and from the SUNY Oswego campus Commuter Lot C32 (the lot to the right after you enter the main campus entrance off Route 104).
  • If you need to park at the cemetery for accessibility purposes, please email jonel.langeneldrial@oswego.edu to reserve a parking spot, as on-site parking is limited.

Bus schedule

There will be four bus loops from campus for the delivery and return of guests. You must return to campus on the same bus you took to the cemetery.

Pickup from SUNY Oswego Commuter Lot C32 to Oswego Town Rural Cemetery will take place at noon, 12:30, 1 and 1:30 p.m. Those taking this drop-off must be able to walk the short distance from the road to the cemetery. 

Return to the SUNY Oswego lot from the cemetery will take place at 4:45, 5:05, 5:25 and 5:45 p.m. Those utilizing this pickup must be able to walk a short distance from the cemetery up to the road.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the Oswego Town Historical Society merchandise table, which is cash only to help support this organization and will include Oswego Town Rural Cemetery merchandise. Visitors can also stop by merch tables for River’s End Bookstore and Fort Ontario.

-- Submitted by the Theatre Department