The Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission’s Cemetery Walk returns this year on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7P. The event will take place at Riverside Cemetery, located at 414 N. River Street in Montgomery. Guests will be led in small groups through the cemetery on a tour that takes them back in time to meet the fascinating “ghosts” of early Montgomery settlers and other cemetery residents.
This cemetery walk, geared towards all ages, is not a scary event, but rather an authentic glimpse into history with local actors portraying people from the past. Each year, the Historic Preservation Commission works to highlight new stories from the lives of real people who lived in our community. This year’s event features a 19th-century minister, a Keck family descendant who lived to be 105 years old, a WWII veteran who built his own house, and a local business owner whose grandchildren lived in what we now call Settlers Cottage.
Visitors are welcome to arrive any time between 7 and 8P. Tours begin at the corner of River and Taylor Streets, located on the southeast side of the cemetery, approximately every 10 minutes. Parking is available along River Street near Montgomery Park. Visitors are advised to bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. Old Montgomery street signs will be on sale for $10 each at the event, proceeds benefit the Historic Preservation Commission. Dieterle Memorial Home provides complimentary refreshments.
Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission, a volunteer-led organization committed to preserving the history of the Village, organizes the Cemetery Walk. There is no charge for this event. In the event of rain, the Cemetery Walk will take place on Thursday, October 2, at the same time and location.
For more information, please email hpc@ci.montgomery.il.us. Event details are available online at montgomeryil.org and on the Village of Montgomery’s Facebook page.