Birmingham Hosts Cemetery Tour
By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing Editor
Three hundred sixty-four days of the year, Leslie Mio heads through the world as herself, a civic-minded Birmingham resident -- but on one special day she becomes someone else.
"I wear a bloody apron, because I'm Mrs. Utter," said Mio, vice president of the Friends of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park.
For the uninitiated, Mrs. Polly Udder and her daughter, Cynthia, were the first residents of Greenwood Cemetery in Birmingham. They're stars of the Friends of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park's Pioneer Tour of Greenwood Cemetery, which will take place 2-4 p.m. Saturday, October 15.
The Udders were murdered in the early 1800s; their killer pleaded insanity and spent the rest of his days in an asylum in Pontiac.
But that's just one story visitors will hear during the 11th annual event.
"We have people telling stories dressed in costumes," Mio said. "They tell the stories of the people in the cemetery, and they tell the story of Birmingham's early history."
Organizers said some of Birmingham's "earliest settlers" will stop by to acquaint visitors with stories about why the cemetery got started and tell tales of the city's most memorable citizens. Light refreshments will be served.
Want more stories?
"There are some juicy stories, but we can't tell it right now. You have to come to the walk," Mio said, laughing.
Tickets are $10 per person for pre-paid registration. A limited number of tickets may be available at the gate for $15 per person. To purchase tickets or get more information, call the Birmingham Historical Museum at 248-530-1928. The Greenwood Cemetery occupies 7.9 acres on Oak Street between Greenwood and Lake Street, just west of Old Woodward in Birmingham.
All proceeds from the cemetery tour will benefit The Friends of the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park, which is open 1-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
And don't fear: It's not so scary that children will be frightened. All ages are welcome.
"It's the same tour we give to second and third graders in Birmingham schools," Mio said. "You can totally bring your kids. There's nothing objectionable."
