Walk Through History Sunday; Township Cemetery's Full of Characters

Curious about who lived, died and was buried in Plainfield decades or even a century ago?

Hear the life stories of pioneers, Chicago Cubs players, a former principal and other early village residents Sunday at the 2011.

Costumed actors will portray early settlers and residents in “History Comes Alive” at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m. at the Plainfield Township Cemetery, Route 59 and Fort Beggs Drive.

Since June, 34 actors, a narrator and a storyteller have been rehearsing the presentations, which take place at six different sites in the historic section of the cemetery. There will be seating for each.

Only 180 tickets per time slot will be sold, and past events have sold out.

“We didn’t sell tickets in advance and 750 people showed up the first year,” said Linda Keene, the walk's publicity chairperson.

Ever since that first walk in 2004, the historical society has sold tickets in advance. Walks also were held in 2006 and 2008, with 2010’s walk canceled due to Route 59 construction and striking road crews.

Advance tickets are $10 and available through Saturday at the , 15025 S. Illinois St., and the historical society’s , 23836 W. Main St. (on Route 126, east of Route 59).

 Tickets at the gate are $15.

“We have a good reputation,” Keene said of the popularity of the event. “It’s a fine event that’s well received by the public. You learn about the history of the cemetery and the people and the development of Plainfield.”

At the start of each program, six groups are led by a guide to each of the six sites.

At one site, attendees encounter the story of a Scandinavian immigrant whose 17-year-old sister has traveled alone from Finland to his Plainfield farm.

At another, actors portray George Pierce, a left-handed pitcher for the Cubs from 1912 to 1916, and Jimmy Archer, a Cubs catcher from 1909 to 1917, having a conversation in the Plainfield pool hall Pierce purchased. Nearby his wife Mary Pierce, a home economics teacher and principal at Plainfield High School, is portrayed in her kitchen.

“We have a balance of stories between men and women, early settlers and more modern, and someone whose life may have been festive and fun and someone whose life may have been very tragic,” Keene said.

At one of the sites, a storyteller will answer attendees’ questions.

The cemetery, one of the few township cemeteries in the state, was established in 1835. Some of Plainfield’s first cabin pioneers are buried there.

Proceeds from the event will go toward historical society programs and maintaining the Main Street Museum and EJ&E Depot No. 4 Museum, near Plainfield Village Hall.

Should it rain, the event will be postponed to Sept. 25.

For more details, call 815-436-2386 or 815-436-4073.