It’s time to learn some history about Pascagoula once again — in a somewhat spooky venue, no less.
The 16th Annual Historic Cemetery Tour, sponsored by the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society, will take place on October 27, 5:00-7:30 p.m., at the venerable old Krebs Cemetery on Fort Street in the city’s Lake District. This year’s theme will be “Local Seafarers and the Vessels That Made Them Famous.”
“With our rich local heritage in all things maritime, we thought that such a theme would be an easy choice for this year’s presentation,” said Dan Lee, the event’s chief organizer. “There were plenty of possible characters to draw on for the cast.”
In keeping with the tour’s tradition, denizens of the cemetery will come back to life to talk about their personal histories in the area. This year’s panorama will include Joseph Simone de la Pointe, Marie Louise Dupont Krebs, Francois Henry and his wife Sophia Deflanders Henry, Miguel Pol, Miguel Ferrer, and Condaluara Villar, wife of Joseph Flechas. It’s possible that these individuals are portrayed by local actors, but October 27 is close to Halloween, so who knows.
The Historic Cemetery Tour has an exemplary reputation for educating visitors about historical figures and Pascagoulans of the past , ranging from the 1700s to the present. In recent years, additions of other features have been brought forth for attendees to enjoy before and after the tour, and the 2022 edition is no exception. Examples:
- The LaPointe-Krebs House Museum will be open.
- Local quartet “Back Porch Singers” will be performing sea shanties.
- There will be a “Seas the Day” cat boat demonstration by the Mississippi Shipbuilding and Maritime Center.
- Navigational instruments will be on display.
- Roving characters (Anne Narbonne Grimarest and Nancy Shine Farragut Gurlie) will be circulating.
In addition to the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society, other sponsors of the event include the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association, and the Kiwanis Club of Pascagoula. Admission is free, with donations graciously accepted.
So, head out to Krebs Cemetery on the evening of October 27 and take in the Sixteenth Annual Historic Cemetery Tour. You’ll be glad you did.
