Liverpool Library hosted the ‘Live Oaks and Dead Folks’ event presented by the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association on Nov. 30.
“Today was a lecture on the cemetery, sharing with the public some of the history of the folks that are buried there,” said Rick Naylor, president of the association. “You highlight some of the beauty and what an amazing green space it is and bring, you know, sort of to the forefront of people that cemeteries are a great place to visit and do research and enjoy the outdoor artwork.”
The event offered a unique blend of history and theatricality, with Sue Greenhagen taking center stage to portray Margaret Oliva Slocum Sage. Sage was the widow of Russel Sage, one of the biggest wall street investors of the 19th century. Greenhagen skillfully wove the life stories of several famous individuals buried in the cemetery while embodying the persona of Sage.
“You know, you can go to the cemetery and look at a headstone, but when that person comes to you and tells you their story and practically touches you, it’s very personal,” Greenhagen said.
The Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association is dedicated to the ongoing care of Oakwood Cemetery. Its efforts involve securing funding to maintain the sacred grounds, restore intricate sculptures, and safeguard historic structures within the cemetery.
“There’s sort of an old saying that is as long as someone speaks your name, you will never be forgotten,” said Naylor when he was asked why he does this work. “And that’s something that I sort of, in my mind, as crazy as it sounds, as I walk through cemeteries, I will actually read off names hoping that comes true, that people will cling on to these people we’ve forgotten about.”
