“Voices from the Grave” Pioneer Cemetery Walk at Red Rock Cemetery
March 11, 2021
The Dead would like to have some words with you. And so, begins a cemetery walk at Sedona’s oldest cemetery on April 30 and May 1, the Schuerman Red Rock Cemetery on the Upper Red Rock Loop Road.
The Sedona Historical Society has announced that a limited number of ticket holders will travel back in time to meet some of Sedona’s earliest pioneers. These brave souls experienced triumph and tragedy while carving out a life in Red Rock country. “Voices from the Grave-Spring Spirits Rising” is an open-air cemetery tour with re-enactments by professional actors where original pioneers are interred. The show will include musical interludes and all ticket holders will receive a ‘swag’ bag of gifts and treats.
The historic pioneers expected to ‘share’ their stories will be Jim Thompson, Oak Creek Canyon’s first permanent Anglo settler, Jesse Elmer, a homesteader and namesake of Elmersville, and Dorette Schuerman who established the cemetery with the burial of her little daughter, Clara in 1893. Guests will also meet members of the Kurtz and Jones families, along with hearing history about the earliest Hispanic families – the Chavezes and Armijos.
Tickets are $25/person, must be purchased in advance, and are now available on the Society’s website SedonaMuseum.org. A similar show held at the historic Cook Cemetery last fall sold out in a few days, so it is recommended you get your tickets early. This program is not recommended for children under 13 years of age.
Proceeds will benefit care and maintenance of the Society’s two historic cemeteries.
This is a Covid-safe outdoor event. Masks will be required and social distancing will be imposed with assistance from ‘ghostly’ escorts.
Sponsorships are available by contacting Michele at 202-997-3234. To date, named sponsors are El Portal Hotel, Sefton Engineering, and Sedona New Day Spa.
For more information, call 928-282-7038.