The historic river town of Columbus is home to its share of legends and spirits. As a hub for trade and travel, it amassed a trove of stories. On Nov. 13-14, the community is invited to take a “spirited” turn through the city’s historic past.
The annual Ghosts & Legends tours will depart from the Tennessee Williams Home Welcome Center at 300 Main St. Friday and Saturday at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Ghosts & Legends is presented by the Columbus Arts Council, the Mississippi University for Women Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy and the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation.
Passengers will disembark their tour bus at six locations where presenters will channel long-ago townspeople and share tales from the past. They include stories of the ill-fated Tombigbee River steamboat, Eliza Battle; a mysterious experience at Rosedale; and an encounter with the only female buried in the Civil War section of Friendship Cemetery.
Bridget Pieschel, director of the MUW Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy, provided research and helped develop scripts for the tour stops.
Presenters include Linda Bobbitt, Chelsea Petty, Tre Womack, Reed Hairston, Spence Andrews, Edwina Williams, Melanie Hintz and Kym and Kevin Fobian. Participating home owners are Gene and Leigh Imes and Hal and Pam Bullock. Several of the actors are from Columbus Community Theatre, with other community members participating as well.
Kym Fobian described her vignette as a “beautiful story” of a Union soldier treated for his wounds here.
“It’s representative of Columbus,” said Kym, whose husband is stationed at Columbus Air Force Base. “We’re outsiders, and Columbus has taken us in and treated us well. My husband and I participated in Ghosts & Legends a couple of years ago, and we’re really looking forward to doing it again this year.”
Walking is required at the tour stops. Tour-goers are urged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. A small flashlight would be a useful accessory.
“We’ve sold out all tours the past two years, so we highly recommend getting advance tickets,” said Beverly Norris, Columbus Arts Council program manager.
Tickets are $10 per person. Get them at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., or call 662-328-2787 Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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