The Notable Nashuans: Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour is a journey through Nashua’s history within the hallowed grounds of the 1835 Unitarian Universalist Church cemetery. Volunteer reenactors adorned in period attire will be stationed at nine select cemetery plots along each of the two available timed tour loops. At each location, attendees will experience poignant vignettes, spoken as if the dead were able to come back to life and share their stories with us. Designed and sponsored by The Nashua Historical Society, the tour aims to breathe life into the lives and legacies of Nashuans who played pivotal roles in shaping the city’s identity, from community leaders to unsung heroes.  Many stories of people connected to the American Revolution and the Civil War are featured on the tour.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The tour meeting place is at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua’s Cemetery located at 58 Lowell Street, Nashua, NH 03064.

The Notable Nashuans Cemetery Tour will be memorable for history enthusiasts and curious minds alike.  Reservations are strongly encouraged, as tickets are limited. https://www.nashuahistoricalsociety.org/events or tickets may be purchased at The Nashua Historical Society, Nashua, NH.

Tours are at 1 pm and 3 pm.  Guests may select from one of two loops of 9 reenactors, or both loops for a total of eighteen reenactors.  The Nashuans represented in each loop are as follows:

Loop A: Mary Conant Shattuck, Parker Family, General John G. Foster, Leonard W. Noyes, Little Nathaniel, Daniel Abbot, Thomas J. Laton, Henry Leavitt, Anna Sterns.

Loop B: Albin Beard, Jeremiah W. White, Ira Gay, James Horace Hall, Sarah Perham, John M. Hunt, Charles H. Nutt, Joseph T. Greeley, Frank A. McKean.

Before entering the cemetery, attendees may have time to examine some funerary items on display including an 1840s hearse, an antique Gleason table (used to keep the deceased’s body cool), and an antique transfer basket.  Cemetery tour t-shirts will be available during the event for $20 each.

All reserved cemetery tour tickets are $15.00, regardless of age.  If purchased online, or with a credit card, there is an additional $3 ticket fee for processing. Children 12 years old and younger may attend, but they must purchase a ticket and be accompanied by an adult. The rain date is May 5, 2024. There are no refunds.

To best enjoy the tour, guests must be able to stand for an hour or more, navigate uneven terrain, and manage steep stairs.  The condition of the cemetery walkways requires guests to exercise caution and care. The tour is not wheelchair accessible.   Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and to wear proper footwear.  In addition, there are no restrooms at the cemetery.  Guests may use bathroom facilities at the Speare Museum, a ½ mile walk.

The Florence H. Speare Museum located at 5 Abbott Street, Nashua, NH 03064 will be open for self-guided tours from 1 pm until 4 pm. Funds raised by The Nashua Historical Society from this event will be used for the ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of Daniel Abbot, the “Father of Nashua.”

Special thanks to our sponsors: Actorsingers, Charlie & Tracy Hall, Davis Funeral Home, Landmark Dental Care, Rochette Funeral Home, The UU Church of Nashua, and wonderful reenactors and amazing volunteers.