There is a lot of activity planned for Edgewood Historic Cemetery, 989 E. High Street, as part of volunteer efforts to restore this previously abandoned resting place and welcome visitors to its park-like setting.
Walking Tour
“The Traveling Circus,” the fifth in a popular series of walking tours through Edgewood Historic Cemetery, will be held on Saturday, October 25, with small groups stepping off for tours at 1, 2, and 3 pm (please plan to arrive 15 minutes before each tour to check in). Walk-in registrations will be accepted if space permits but reservations are strongly encouraged for this special Halloween-season event. The rain date will be Sunday, October 25.
Chairs are provided at each stop along the tour to ensure the comfort of participants of all ages.
As before, the “Walk to Remember”will feature enthusiastic storytellers and costumed re-enactors shedding light on fascinating personalities at rest in the 165-year-old Cemetery. This particular program will have a “circus twist,” spotlighting a notable connection between Edgewood Cemetery, Pottstown, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus during the Depression era. One story includes a glimpse into the life of a professional animal trainer buried at Edgewood. Tour guests will meet personalities including Vaudeville performers William Gracey and his wife, Lydia Irwin “Eliza” Fleming Gracey; Josephine DeMott, also known as “The Circus Lady;” and Elizabeth Maisse (Prizer) Banghart, Edgewood’s oldest resident, who passed at 105 years young.
Tickets are $20 per person, and $10 each for students. The price includes light refreshments.
To secure tickets go to https://givebutter.com/TravelingCircus1PM; https://givebutter.com/TravelingCircus2PM; or https://givebutter.com/TravelingCircus3PM.
But First: A Community Cleanup
Volunteers for the Cemetery will make sure the grounds are ready for the tour when they hold their annual fall cleanup on Saturday, October 17 from 10 am to 2 pm. Rain date will be Sunday, October 18.
Workers who can bring their own weed whackers to the October 17 cleanup should do so; other tools as well as gloves will be provided on site. If community members have bulbs they would like to donate for fall planting, they would be appreciated and can be delivered the day of the cleanup. As always, refreshments will be provided for this day of Pottstown camaraderie and service.
In the Meantime: Summer Beautification
And, finally, Edgewood volunteers would greatly appreciate perennial donations to be planted this summer along the bank on its Keim Street border between High and Beech. Homeowners who would like to thin and donate their perennials – anything from hostas and day lilies to black-eyed Susans – may contact Andrew Monastra, President of the Edgewood friends, at ajmonastra@gmail.com or call 484-459-5412 to arrange a drop off. Plant donations also may be taken to Hobart’s Run’s office at 856 E. High Street.
This Walk to Remember series was created to raise funds toward the Cemetery’s maintenance costs, specifically its approximately $25,000 in annual mowing fees, as well as its Adopt-a-Gravestone program to restore fallen headstones. It is notable that all care is provided through donations, as no funds are contributed via the Borough. Thanks to essential volunteer efforts, Pottstown residents are increasingly able to enjoy the grounds as a peaceful place to walk the paths and enjoy the pollinator garden maintained by Hearts for Humanity.
Individuals who would like to assist with the historic tours may contact Kelly Fenstermacher at kelly@historicedgewood.com or call/text 610-506-7033.
The Cemetery Friends welcome fundraisers orchestrated by other civic-minded organizations, as well as cleanup volunteers. Recently a “chip and dip” fundraiser was hosted by Jamie Cascino of, and several years ago a golf outing fundraiser was planned by a local social club.
Contributions to the ongoing maintenance fund may be made to Historic Edgewood Cemetery and mailed to 740 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464; online donations are gratefully accepted at givebutter.com/edgewood-historic-cemetery.