"One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Western New York is Forest Hill..." So begins a history of the cemetery located in Fredonia.

On Friday and Saturday, FestivalsFredonia - noted for their "Ghost Tours" - will host horse-drawn trolley tours every half hour through the cemetery. The tours begin at 7 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. The trolleys will load passengers at the Gazebo in Barker Commons and return to the same area.

Last year the trolley tours sold out - don't be left standing in the cold. Call 672-4818 for reservations.

If you think that cemeteries are just places where the departed rest, you are quite mistaken. Apart from preserving the memory of those near and dear, cemeteries are art galleries, horticultural gardens, history museums, and puzzles to be deciphered. And no better place to experience this than Fredonia's Forest Hill on Lambert Avenue.

Forest Hill Cemetery, with its origins in the early 19th century, is in many ways a time capsule of the town's history. From monuments commemorating the founders' families, Fredonia's national heroes, Revolutionary, Union and Confederate soldiers, and artists, to entrepreneurs and industrialists who also gained wide recognition, each turn in the cemetery's pathways uncovers stories that should not remain a secret.

Take, for example, the Howard family, who were at first involved in the "patent medicine" business, then became manufacturers of high-quality pocket watches. Was there a connection between those watches and the start of the Sears Roebuck Company? Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was scooped into that one. The founder of Lily Dale (the largest Spiritualist community in the world) is buried here and still active. And how did the tallest monument in the cemetery find its way from the quarry to its resting place in one piece (not something to take for "granite")? And why is there a large oval pattern within the cemetery?

How about the "hauntings" as a result of the Normal School fire, the notorious hanging of Joseph Damon that failed - once - or the sightings and cries of those who died too young? For nearly 200 years, Forest Hill has been a place for souls at "rest," souls who have "gone home" and some who aren't quite sure yet! The tours this year will include The White Inn with tales of a grisly murder/suicide and a former owner who can't bear to leave - hauntings, sightings and occurrences - all recent.

There are tales to excite, amaze, and unnerve even the most enlightened history buff.

The tour winds its way through the dark cemetery; through heroes and some of the most notoriously scary villains.

The tour is suitable for the whole family but children over 8 years old will enjoy it best. The tales and atmosphere of the ride are in keeping with the season, as are the refreshments, which are provided by Intermezzo, to sweeten the end of the tour. Intermezzo will also be hosting an area medium who will be available for guest readings after the tours. Advanced reservations are recommended for readings, but if she is not booked, she will take walk-ins. Contact Intermezzo for more information or for reservations at 672-6070.

Once again, reservations are a must and seating is limited on the trolleys. Call 1-888-414-4818 or 672-4818 to get the details and make your reservations now. The cost for tickets is $10 which includes refreshments.