By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,544)

Portland and the Civil War is the focus of this year’s annual fundraiser at the Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress Street, at the bottom of Munjoy Hill.  Professional actors from Acorn Productions present living history performances of some of Portland’s famous historic characters who are buried in the 345 year old graveyard, Portland’s oldest.

New this year is a special twilight performance, today, Sunday, October 27th.  The performance will happen from 5 pm – 6 pm. today. Otherwise, the event will be held on October 30th and 31st  from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  Audience groups are escorted by “specters” and leave from the Congress Street gate every 15 minutes during the event time on a first-come, first-served basis.  Admission is $10 ($5 for under 12). Each Walk Among the Shadows performance lasts about 50 minutes.  Half of the proceeds raised go to Spirits Alive to help them maintain, improve and preserve the Eastern Cemetery.  The other half goes to Acorn Products, a non-profit performing arts group.

Eastern Cemetery was the site of a moving and elaborate ceremony honoring three naval heroes buried there.  September 5th, 2013 marked the anniversary of the Battle between the HMS Boxer and the USS Enterprise – a battle that occurred off Pemaquid Point during the War of 1812.  Numerous local and state officials as well as relatives of the heroes from here and abroad attended the event.

An in-depth report on the history of the Eastern Cemetery commissioned by the non-profit Spirits Alive was hailed by city boards as significant enough to be used by local schools as an educational resource.  It’s fascinating!

For more information, please contact Martha Zimicki, President, at mzimicki@gmail.com