2021 Cemetery Tour Cast Named

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown has announced the cast for its 8^th Living History Cemetery Tour to be held July 10, 2021 at Margaretville Cemetery.

A total of 15 people will appear in this year’s event, which will be produced with Covid precautions, including audience distancing and mask wearing by everyone except performers.

Groups of tour goers will be led by costumed guides through the cemetery to hear the stories of ten men and women who rest there.  Tours will depart every 20 minutes between 4 and 6 p.m. Tour time reservations are required; details to be announced.

This year’s cast features many players who are new to the event, as well as a couple of veterans.

John Bernhardt, who has performed in every one of the tours, will play George Gilbert alongside Alice Zigelis as his wife Sarah. The pair will recount their very public divorce, and much quieter reconciliation.

Burr Hubbell as veterinarian Reuben Smith will tell the story of his son’s heroism while Air Force pilot Thomas Kingsley Smith (Kevin Hubbell) stands silently at ease. The efforts of Hungarian immigrant Esther Dobsa to keep her family together on the farm after her husband’s early death will be shared by Darlene DeMaille.

Nineteenth-century lamplighter Leslie Dumond will be portrayed by Ward Stevenson. Marge Helenchild will appear as Delaware County’s first female attorney, Mabel Fenton.

The tour audience will hear about the scandalous fall from grace of Anti-Rent War hero Edward O’Connor, as recounted by his nephew, R. David Scott, played by Brett Barry. And Mike Riley as Irishman Sam Hunter will describe his fruitless search for a missing Civil War comrade.