Ghosts and Gossip will spread the news of LeDucs’ neighbors

Two servants and neighbors of the LeDuc family will tell their stories when the Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings and the Dakota County Historical Society host “More Grave Truths – Ghosts and Gossip” beginning at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13, at Lakeside Cemetery.

For several hours family members of several of Hastings’ early prominent families will tell their stories. Members from the Gardner, Doebler, Mairs, Follett, Bateman and Cadwell families, or at least their spirits, will talk about their careers and their lives. Leading the visitors between the cemetery plots will be a washerwoman and a servant who have much to say and are eager to share it.

This is the fifth presentation of the “Grave Truths” production. Heidi Langenfeld, senior tour guide at the LeDuc Historic Estate, has written and directed the last two scripts.

This year Langenfeld wanted to focus on the Leduc’s neighbors, those who lived right in the area of the estate.

“Of course there were the Gardners (Stephen, the miller), and there were other millers who lived close by,” she said. “Leading the way for the visiting is a washer woman and a servant who have a lot to say.”

The script, Langenfeld said, is basically the story of each leading person (now buried in Lakeside Cemetery) who “speaks” from the grave site. Their lives, their careers, their impact on the LeDucs and the community will be described.

Bruce Cadwell, grandson of Benjamin Cadwell, shared his family’s journals for stories; LeDuc letters and journals were also researched and the files from the Pioneer Room were also invaluable in the research.

Sally Anderson worked on customers for the production.

The tour will also give a glimpse into the stirring of the spirits of the people buried in the cemetery,

As the day winds into darkness, the tours at the cemetery will include lighting which was appropriate to the time – hand-held lanterns.

The tours start every hour. Entrance to the cemetery is at the west gate. Parking will be available in a grassy area and a registration table will also be in place.

Each tour is limited to 20 people. Reservations are required. Each tour is $7.

For reservations call the LeDuc Historic Estate at 437-7055.

Tags: area family events, events, entertainment, local