Williamstown Haunted Cemetery Meets With Opposition

By Lyndsay DeBordSpecial to iBerkshires
08:20PM / Wednesday, October 15, 2008Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Plans for a Halloween haunted cemetery tour at Eastlawn Cemetery were met with opposition Tuesday night, with one citizen saying he was "appalled and shocked" at the idea.

Halloween event coordinator Juliana von Haubrich, who first spoke about the event to the Selectmen in August, addressed the board's concerns regarding the cemetery.

von Haubrich said adults will lead five-person tours in the older graveyard. The graves will be roped off to the public and the rest of the cemetery will be secured by road blocks. Also, she said, the tours will stay on the old road, never walking on or near any graves, and the re-enactments take place where no one is buried.

"The actors have the deepest respect for the people in the story they are portraying," said von Haubrich.

Photo by Lyndsay DeBord

Selectman Thomas Costley discusses the planned Haunted Eastlawn Cemetery; a map of the cemetery is at left

Members of the creative team for the haunted cemetery were also in attendance, including Kelli Newby from Main Street Stage, local historian Paul Marino of North Adams and board members from the Williamstown House of Local History.

The event is supported through grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Fund for Williamstown and is also funded by the Friends of the Milne Public Library and its board of trustees.

Selectman David A. Rempell said he felt better after hearing the new measures taken to ensure graves would not be disturbed. He also said the cemetery is "an important town landmark."

At the meeting, town member Michael Steele voiced his opposition to the haunted cemetery.

"I'm basically appalled and shocked," said Steele, who added that he spoke for many members of the town.

While the Williamstown native said the creative aspects and planning of the event were admirable, he believes the location is inappropriate.

"I think it's a direct frontal assault on our cultural and religious values," said Steele.

Selectman Richard C. Steege also said he felt disappointed the event was taking place in a cemetery.

"Children don't need to think about a cemetery being haunted," said Steege.

Steele also voiced concern about photos that were posted on Flickr, a photo-posting Web site, that included a photograph of a child's grave.

von Haubrich responded and said that the photos were "an early tool for communicating with writers [for the event]."

Selectman Ronald Turbin said he believed the problem may have been from miscommunication and also said he wanted to highlight the history and culture of the event.

von Haubrich said, in celebrating Halloween, the haunted tour would be "spooky" and added that the content is "completely historically based."

The Haunted Eastlawn Cemetery, located on Route 2, will take place Friday, Oct. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Entrance to the haunted historical tour is $5 and will benefit the Williamstown House of Local History, and Main Street Stage theater company and Inkberry of North Adams.

The tours will be staffed by the House of Local History, the library and the Police Department and will take place on the lawn next to and around Sherman Burbank Chapel. There will also be free shows at the chapel, arts and crafts from the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, and healthy drinks and snacks for sale by Wild Oats Community Market.

In other business:

The board approved the transfer of an all-alcoholic package store license from Ronald Gagnon of The Spirit Shop of Williamstown to John and Tracy Baker, who will be purchasing the building at 280 Cole Ave. that will become The Spirit Shop Inc.

A local auction permit was approved for the former Taconic Restaurant, located at 1161 Cold Spring Road, with the auction to take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, at noon.

The property was purchased from South Adams Savings Bank by real estate developer Ariel Sutain in April for $150,000. Sutain, who owns the Hoosac Mill in North Adams, told The Berkshire Eagle last week that he was selling the 9,600 square-foot building because he had too many projects going. JJ Manning Auctioneers is overseeing the bidding.

The board waived a $90 permit fee for the Church Corners LLC project in the former St. Raphael's Church and rectory. The town's Affordable Housing Committee is converting property into affordable units. The board decided to wait on a decision to make further waivers until a budget was set for the project.

The Selectmen also signed the general election warrant for Tuesday, Nov. 4, a water and sewer warrant, a proclamation recognizing Susan Mead, who will be honored by the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women later this month, and resigned a lease agreement for Cal Ripken Baseball.

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

What a terrible idea. As for arts and crafts, etc. surely a more fitting place could be found than the chapel.
from: amy	on: 10-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

if you are planing to do this what if there are little kids then what
from: jane	on: 10-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I agree that it is a terrible idea. It should not be a place for shows and gift selling! What next? Perhaps tickets could be sold for real life funerals.Popcorn, peanuts, beer here!
from: Jen	on: 10-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Oh please...you people need to relax, chill out. Life is too short; the event is all in good fun. I doubt any of the residents will complain...LOL. The cemetery is the perfect place; I think you forgot how life was when you were younger. Sounds like they have taken care to protect the property. I hope those who attend have a BLAST! Happy Halloween kids!
from: Chill	on: 10-16-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

great ! what a wonderful idea ,love it not much happens here any way for the lower class anyway, something deffernt i will be there
from: dan	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Ah but I do remember as a kid playing in that very same cemetery. How can you compare that with setting up shows for the public and hawking arts and crafts. Show some respect!
from: family of resident	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

There are more important things to worry about than getting all bent out of shape over this event. This sounds like great fun and I hope everyone has a blast. For those that are upset because of religious or moral reasons-give it a rest and relax already!!
from: Susan	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Maybe in the future they will have a Christmas festival at the local synagogue
from: Hymie	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

What a horrible place to be having a halloween "carnival" so to speak! Have some respect for the families there..I am one of them! I am sure other places could have been used...arts and crafts in the cemetary...COME ON PEOPLE!
from: not thrilled!	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I would much rather have an event like this going on in a local cemetery, away from graves as they said, than what does happen at night in almost all of them - teenagers drinking and at times vandalizing headstones. Visit Hillside Cemetery sometime and take a look at the empty beer bottles laying around after a weekend night. This event is being done with respect, away from the plots. In Mexico, entire families spend the entire night of Halloween in their cemeteries, partying and dancing to commemorate the lives of their lost loved ones. In Gettysburg they have several so-called Ghost Tours that are all around very sacred ground, and they're all done with respect for the properties and what happened there. This isn't any different.
from: BGT	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Two wrongs do not make a right. Wouldn't it be nice if children were taught to pray for the dead, not to virtually celebrate in the cemeteries where they are buried.
from: amy	on: 10-17-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Absolutely a terrible idea. Have some respect for what a cemetary actually is! I Can't believe that this is being allowed.
from: My Opinion	on: 10-18-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

How many creepy movies have we viewed that have been filmed in "a cemetery" This event was never planned with the intention of causing disrespect to the dead, I'm sure it was planned with the living in mind to actually get out and live a little! What a concept.
from: Chill	on: 10-20-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

i think you should take some empty land and make a cemetary for this purpose instead of using a real one that gives full meaning of disrespect to the living on their way there and definitely the dead(if only they could speak again,unh).well this generation does what they think anyway and then thats that(48yrs here).
from: tony w	on: 10-21-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The people running this performance will do it with the upmost respect and consideration. I have several relatives in Eastlawn and I don't find this to be offensive. Its unfortunate that anything that makes Williamstown fun is always met with opposition. You folks need to take life a little less serious, theres enough bad stuff going on in this world without get all bent out of shape over a halloween event. Very few kids in Williamstown even go out for trick or treat anymore , but I suppose thats they way you folks like it!
from: Mar	on: 10-22-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The cemetery is not a park. Clowns, magicians and snacks for sale have no place on sacred ground. Hold it somewhere else and teach children to repsect other people's values.
from: Ted	on: 10-24-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I think this a great way for the public to learn about the cemetery and local history. I rather see people learning there than vandalizing property. It is apparent that you have a lot of time on your hands to worry about one local event where people where be learning. Lets put more focus on the future of our government instead of worrying about one night of learning.
from: teach	on: 10-26-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Mainy Commentators here have missed the point: Just as you would not travel abroad and deface, defile, or even unintentionally show disrespect to dead of another culture, it's wise so show the same respect here -- whether you have ancestors buried in Eastlawn or if you do not. This planned historical outreach to the our citizens is admirable, even though most people can understand the concern expressed by so many. Congrats to Mr. Steele who spoke with courage in a town Meeting, when the majority seemed to think there were no such concerns. Cemetaries have both a national and, perhaps, international profile. People far beyond the Purple Valley of Williamstown will be shocked to learn of a public event, in such questionable taste. Do we want to send the message to the surrounding communities that Williamstown doesn't respect those who came before us?? Doesn't anyone remember Poltergeist? Let's resolve to find a better venue next year!!
from: Thinking Clearly	on: 10-28-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.

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