Actors Bridge Divide Between the the Living and the Dead at Annual Lantern Tour

Each fall, Pine Plains residents and visitors gather for an event that has become as synonymous with autumn as the vibrant hues of changing leaves: the Evergreen Cemetery Lantern Tour. 

Held on the weekend before Halloween, this year’s tour drew 250 attendees over four sessions, with all proceeds supporting the Little Nine Partners Historical Society and the Pine Plains Free Library.

A pathway through Evergreen Cemetery, lined with over 200 candlelit, fireproof jack-o’-lantern bags and 26 tiki torches, led attendees into a world where Pine Plains’ history was brought to life by costumed actors. At each stop, characters from Pine Plains’ past shared their stories, bridging the divide between the living and the dead in a blend of history and community spirit.

The tour required the efforts of more than 20 volunteers. Preparing the path took over three hours, with volunteers carefully placing and lighting the jack-o’-lantern bags. Leading the project was Dyan Wapnick, president of the Little Nine Partners Historical Society. She collaborated with playwright Lenora Champagne (a volunteer with the Herald) and Robert Lyons to craft the scripts for the historical figures.

At the cemetery’s entrance, visitors were met by Lois Allerton (1757–1828), portrayed by Murphy Birdsall (also a volunteer with the Herald). Allerton recounted the exploits of her family, highlighting her husband Reuben’s service as a physician during the Battle of Saratoga and her brother Cornelius’s role in thwarting Benedict Arnold’s plot to capture West Point in 1780. Her son, Cornelius Jr., established a medical practice in Pine Plains, serving the community until his death in 1855. “She holds a copy of The Gospel Herald in her portrait by Ammi Phillips,” Birdsall said, gesturing toward an imagined canvas, connecting the past with the present for an audience eager to learn about local roots.

Further along the path, two soldiers shared their wartime experiences. Carl Baden, in the role of Civil War veteran Colonel Matthew Ellis (1836–1913), spoke of his time at the Battle of Gettysburg and his post-war life as a lawyer and judge. Joining him was Ray Christiansen as World War II veteran Private First Class Elbert Blakney (1912–1972), who fought in the Battle of the Bulge before serving as postmaster in Pine Plains. The two soldiers reflected on the challenges of war and their later lives, which had brought peace and community ties. Adding to the atmosphere, Jim Petrie sang “Tenting on the Old Campground,” a song cherished by Union soldiers in 1863, as he strummed a guitar.

Elizabeth Reynolds Beckwith (1845–1929), played by Margo Jackson, was the next character on the tour. Born in nearby Stissing, Beckwith pursued education fervently and was among the early graduates of Vassar College. She taught for decades at what would become Hunter College, and even after an injury led her to retire, she remained active in the Dutchess County Historical Society. Jackson conveyed Beckwith’s passion for education and community service, sharing her legacy as an early advocate for learning.

The tour then introduced Samuel Tanner Hoag (1842–1938), the esteemed editor of the original Pine Plains Herald. Hoag, portrayed by longtime Lantern Tour participant Thayer Durrell, spoke of the laborious process of newspaper printing in the 19th century and his dedication to his craft. Known as the “dean of Dutchess County editors,” Hoag shared humorous anecdotes and publishing lore, embodying his reputation as a central figure in the local media landscape.

After the 2024 Lantern Tour ended, its impact on the community lingered on. The jack-o’-lantern bags lit Maple and Pine Streets, guiding trick-or-treaters through the heart of Pine Plains on Halloween night.