SOUTHWICK – The ghosts of Southwick past will come to life tomorrow as the Southwick Historical Society presents its second annual Spirit Walk.
The public is invited to this theatrical presentation from 2-4 p.m. at the Southwick Cemetery on College Highway where they will meet some of the town’s best-known former residents, including a returning visitor from last year.
Society President Patricia Odiorne said last year’s event was very well-received and people began asking if the Spirit Walk would return.
“We had a wonderful response,” said Odiorne.
The idea for the event stemmed from the Longmeadow Historical Society’s Ghost Walk through that town’s old cemetery. That event takes place at night but Odiorne said Southwick’s cemetery is not as flat or smooth as Longmeadow’s and she is concerned about having people walk through in the dark.
“It’s bumpy terrain,” she said.
Odiorne researched some of Southwick’s well-known, and lesser-known, residents for the walk and paired characters from the town’s past with today’s residents to portray them.
This year’s spirits include Roger Moore, portrayed by Lee Hamberg, whose family settled in what was once part of Simsbury, Conn. before becoming incorporated into Southwick.
Theron Rockwell, who owned Southwick’s powder mills in the early 1800s, will be portrayed by Dennis Picard, and one female resident who was ahead of her time – Harriet Booth – will be portrayed by Carol Geryk.
“Harriet Booth actually had a pre-nup,” noted Odiorne. “She was ahead of her time.”
Booth lived in Southwick for the better part of the 1800s. When her husband died, she inherited his land and she aimed to keep it.
“She had an offer to marry again, and in those days, the husband would take over anything the woman owned,” said Odiorne. “But Harriet wanted to keep her land.”
Booth retained her land in her name so that it would be passed down to her children and was likely one of the town’s earliest feminists.
Odiorne said those are just a few of the town’s historical spirits who will tell their tales Saturday. Odiorne has written the residents’ stories and said the actors will make them come to life, bringing their own touch to the characters.
The Spirit Walk is free to children and the society suggests a $5 donation for adults. Participants should enter the cemetery through the new section’s main gate on the south side of the property, park, and walk to the old cemetery.
