As part of our second annual “Grave Matters” event, Ellen Drake gave a talk on the “History of Halloween” at Peggy Bancroft Hall on October 19. Halloween falls on one of four cross-quarter days celebrated in ancient times by the Celts to mark the changing seasons. Over the centuries the holiday was folded into the Christian calendar and gradually evolved to our modern-day Halloween festivities.
Following the talk, Ruth Altemier conducted a tour of historic Kipptown Cemetery, the first cemetery in Greene Township. Participants heard interesting stories about the Kipp family, the earliest settlers along the East Branch of the Wallenpaupack and the founders of what was, at the time, called Kipptown. They were also given an overview of the extensive work the Society has done to restore and preserve the cemetery.
