Each year, the Fenton has volunteers who portray different historical individuals from the community throughout the cemetery tours. The actors enjoy learning about the different people buried in the cemetery and “getting into character” for each year’s tours.

“It is fun to learn about the historical figure I’m portraying by digging into genealogical research to discover their story,” Cindy Rodgers, a volunteer actor for the cemetery tours, said.

Rodgers said the Saints and Sinners tours continue to attract large crowds who always enjoy the annual event.

“The reactions of the tour goers are always encouraging,” she said. “Some people come every year for this event. It’s such a fun event for all ages and people from all over, not just Jamestown and it is so fun to be a part of. I run into people who still remember the stories of the people I helped to portray and who share how much they enjoyed the tours and come every year.”

The Fenton History Center is preparing to celebrate its 17th annual Saints and Sinners walking and carriage horse-drawn carriage tours. A local volunteer shared her acting experience from the annual tours. Submitted photos

Rodgers said the stories are about people who came to the United States in the search of a better life and that many of the people buried at Lake View Cemetery have fascinating stories.

“Hopefully, the entertaining nature of history presented in this format encourages the tour goers to be more interested in history in general,” she said. “It hopefully encourages the local community to become interested in learning about their history and the history of their community.”

Rodgers said the cemetery tours often encourage people to research the history of their own families, which can be aided by the Fenton’s research library.

On the other hand, Rodgers said the Saints and Sinners experience is fun for people regardless of their interest in history.

The popularity of the cemetery tours encourages Rodgers that the community supports the work of the Fenton History Center.

The Fenton History Center is preparing to celebrate its 17th annual Saints and Sinners walking and carriage horse-drawn carriage tours. A local volunteer shared her acting experience from the annual tours. Submitted photos

“I love the see the crowds of people that come out to enjoy the show and to support the Fenton,” she said.

This year’s Saints and Sinners tour event will take place Saturday, Oct. 1 and 8, and Sunday, Oct. 9. Carriage tours will be available Oct. 1 at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Walking tours will be avaialable at 6, 6:45, 7:30, 8:15 and 9:00 p.m. On Oct. 8, carriage Tours will be available at 6, 7 and 8 p.m., and walking tours will be at 3, 3:45, 4:30 and 5:15. The mausoleum tours will take place on Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.

“The cemetery tours offer a fun way to learn the history of those who came before us,” Jane Babinsky, the Fenton’s executive director, said. “People enjoy learning history while touring beautiful Lake View Cemetery, whether it is by horse and carriage or by walking. The Mausoleum Tours offer behind the scenes tours that one would not get to see otherwise.”

The Saints and Sinners cemetery tours serve as one of the Fenton’s biggest annual fundraisers, helping the museum remain operational in the Jamestown community six days a week.