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Plans are coming along for the first-ever Fort Towson/Doaksville Cemetery Walking Tour. Ladies are shaking their historical and event dresses while the men are polishing their boots and dusting their hats. In one case, we have a man growing out his beard!
Storytellers will share the history of specific local people buried in the cemetery, from the 1840s to the current time. As far as we know, this cemetery is the longest continually used cemetery in the state. With a few 1840 burials identified by their headstone, into the 20th century through today, at no time has the cemetery not been used.
Guests will be led from storyteller to storyteller by a pusher/puller (guide). The walk is about 1/2 mile, and the entire tour will take about one hour to complete. There will be resting benches here and there so you can sit if you need. The chapel will be open to see its beauty and learn how the chapel became part of the cemetery. In addition to the stories, you will learn about Woodsmen of the World (WOW) headstones. There is a nice collection of them in the cemetery. And let’s not forget our veterans. We have veterans from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War and many more from non-combat times. This cemetery is rich in its 180-year history!
This tour is a joint venture between the Fort Towson Cemetery Association and the Friends of the Fort Inc. organization supporting the Fort Towson Historic Site and Museum.
The Fort Towson Cemetery Association Board Members will be on-hand with their cemetery directory to answer any inquiries. It will allow folks to inquire about their possible relatives and ask questions about how the cemetery is maintained today.
Friends of the Fort will have people on site to share how the volunteer group helps the Fort Towson Historic Site and Museum through various volunteer programs and projects.
So, it is up to you to come to listen to the treasure trove of history shared by the storytellers. I can guarantee you will hear something you did not know, and you will enjoy seeing the cemetery as it exists.