Eight people who helped shaped Salem will be protrayed in the 6th Annual Tales of East Lawn on Friday and Saturday October second and third.
Those selected for this year’s event include:
- Harper Sweeney the founder of Sweeney’s Drug Store
- Fanny Schwartz a socialite involved in the formation of several women’s clubs, and the wife of Mayor Frank Schwartz.
- Abe Earnhardt who served in the Civil War and later became a music teacher
- John and Rose Larimer. John formed Larimer Abstract. His wife was active in the community.
- General Wesley Merritt who grew up in Salem and went on to be a controversial military figure.
- Mary Belle McMackin the mother of Mayor Charlies McMackin who died in a tragic accident after setting herself on fire.
- H.E. Schoonover
Actors have been selected to study the history and the period attire of the person they will protray.
There will be eight performances, at 5:30, 6:15, 7, and 7:45 on both Friday and Saturday October 2nd and 3rd. Tickets are $15 apiece and are available at city hall until they sell out. Participants will meet in the cafeteria of the Salem Community Activity Center and then taken by golf cart to the cemetery for the performance.
Luke Purcell of the Salem Historical Commission says they won’t run out of those buried in the cemetery to feature.
“There are so many stories that relate directly to Salem’s history and things that we sort of take for granted or have kind of forgotten about Salem’s history. It’s nice to be reminded of those.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards general expenses of the commission.
