Visitors to Mount Mora Cemetery next month will hear stories from former citizens including a thief, a lawyer and a chief.

This is the 15th year of “Voices of the Past,” an interpretive tour of the cemetery.

“We have so many interesting people buried at Mount Mora and the stories are above the sod,” said Suzanne Lehr with the St. Joseph Museums. “They were interesting people and a lot of times their stories almost got lost when they passed and we’ve tried to bring those back.” 

Lehr said the stories are told by reenactors or living history characters. 

“This year our theme is ‘Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief, Doctor, Lawyer, Merchant, Chief,’” Lehr said. “This year we have some really interesting twists on the characters. The stories are true, but people will be surprised at who is playing that role or what that role is.” 

The tour begins at the Wyeth Tootle Mansion. According to Kathy Reno with the Museums, anyone attending can choose a tour time of 6 or 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 19th, or 6, 7 or 8 p.m. on Friday, October 20th. 

“Some people want to go when it’s absolutely dark, some people want to go when it’s just sunset, so it kind of depends on what your preference is,” Reno said. “The later tours have their charm. When you see the mausoleum.. With the tiki torches and the smudge pots and it’s glowing at night, there’s something very special about that. But I also love the six o’clock one where I can kind of still see a little bit of the stained glass and the architecture.” 

Proceeds from “Voices of the Past” benefit the Mount Mora Restoration and Preservation Association and educational programming at the St. Joseph Museums.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at the St. Joseph Museums at 3406 Frederick Avenue or by calling 800-530-8866.