Date Night: We Saw Dead People!

Naw, not really. DH and I were looking for something different to do for date night. Usually, it's dinner and a movie or something. I'd read about this production in a newspaper article last week and thought it looked interesting. Since my husband is a history buff, I decided to surprise him with this date activity.

I told him prior to leaving the house to dress comfy and be prepared to leave the house by 6:30 p.m. He gave me a strange look and replied, "Ooooookay?".

So, we hit the road and were on our way. About halfway to our destination, he asked where we were going. I responded by asking what he thought was the fastest route to the corner of Florida Blvd. and 22nd street. He turned and said, "That's the cemetery! What are we going to the cemetery for? I'm not spending the evening doing geocaching. If that's what you've got planned, let's do something else."

I was like, "The cemetery? Really? That's where it is? Now, just how is it that you KNOW the address to a cemetery!? What's the deal there?"

Now, I don't know if he had also previously read the same article I had, but I had a sneaky suspicion that he already knew what was up. However, he kept quiet, which was nice since I was trying to spring this surprise on him.

At approximately 7:15 or so, we finally arrived at our destination where the annual Magnolia's Memories was being played for the 7th year.

We were admitted to a "staging" area where attendees could browse book and CD vendors, enjoy a bowl of Shrimp and Corn soup, imbibe in a fine wine, and listen to some outstanding bluegrass music provided by Thibodeaux's Mosspickers.

The "staging" area is also where we waited to be angelically escorted into Baton Rouge's old Magnolia Cemetery which is where the major action of the August 5, 1862 Battle of Baton Rouge took place. Many of Baton Rouge's prominent citizens are buried in this fascinating place.

My sweet hubby patiently waits his turn to "cross over".

Once we were escorted to the other side (meaning the cemetery across the street from the "staging" area), we were greeted by Mr. Charles Rabenhorst. (Okay, so it isn't REALLY him but a local actor - Robert Wilson - who is portraying him). Mr. Rabenhorst regaled us with stories of how he came to the U.S. as a 14 y.o. boy, met and married his wife, and lived his life. He also enlightened us as to how he came into the funeral business.

When Mr. Rabenhorst finished his 15 minute monologue, we were then escorted by one of several individual musicians strategically placed throughout the cemetery. Each one played some sort of period instrument and a respectful melancholy tune.

At our next stop, we "met" siblings Henry and Sarah Morgan who grew up in Baton Rouge as children of Judge Thomas Gibbes Morgan. The family lived on Church Street which is now called 4th street. There is a historical marker located at the home site which is now the Chase Bank building (I think). Sarah also wrote a diary called "A Confederate Girl's Diary" in which she wrote about the Union troops garrisoned in Baton Rouge at the time.

We also "met" Cecil Morgan, who led the fight to bring about the impeachment of Huey P. Long as governor in 1929. We were entertained by the political bickerings of early Baton Rouge mayors James E. Elam, Henry Schorten, and Leon Jastremski. A funny moment happened when Schorten and Jastremski were loudly bickering and Elam interuppted them with, "Fellas, we don't have forever."

Schorten and Jastremski stopped bickering and slowly turned while gazing at their surroundings. They then turned their attention back to Elam and said sarcastically, "Really?"

A more recent honoree of the evening was Bill Long, a talented Baton Rouge photographer who was just getting his business started when his life was cut short by a heart attack.

Our final stop of the evening was at the tombstone of Joshua B. Hare. Captain Josh Hare was the first chief of police in Baton Rouge. He also holds the "honor" of being the first Baton Rouge police chief to be killed in the line of duty. He and his widow Clara, shared stories about their lives in Baton Rouge during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After the Hares' dialogue, a string band approached as the Hare's walked off into the distance while holding hands. The musicians began playing a haunting tune called "You Will Be My Ain True Love".

We were then escorted out of the cemetery and hubby mentioned that he was hungry. It seems the Shrimp and Corn soup just wasn't enough dinner for him. Looking at the clock, we realized that most restaurants were probably closing. We chose to visit a Waffle House on the way home and rehashed the evening's events.

What a wonderful change of pace from our other date nights! Hubby even mentioned that it stirred up the history bug in him and now he has the urge to do some personal research! I think I might rent that movie, "All the King's Men" to watch this week. :D