Denison, Texas – On Saturday morning Fairview Cemetery became a walking museum as volunteers staged “Stories Beyond the Stones,” a guided tour that brought the lives of buried pioneers to life. The event, organized by local historian Brian Hander, featured reenactors portraying seven figures who shaped Denison from its founding through the mid‑twentieth century.
Historic figures take center stage
Visitors followed a loop that highlighted the contributions of Bernice McDaniel, the education pioneer after whom B. McDaniel Intermediate School is named; Patrick Tobin, the first person to drive a train across the Red River in 1851; William and Mary Munson of the prominent Munson business family; and Hartley Edwards, a decorated World‑I veteran whose bugle now rests in the Smithsonian. Each performer shared anecdotes and period details, turning the cemetery’s rows of headstones into a vivid narrative of Denison’s past.
Community support and fundraising goals
Hander explained that the tour’s dual purpose was educational and financial. “Our hope was to create this to help support the Red River Railroad Museum and the cemetery itself, to help pay to take down some trees and cover other expenses that aren’t in the normal budget,” he said. The effort succeeded: organizers reported that hundreds of attendees generated tens of thousands of dollars in donations, directly benefiting the museum’s preservation projects and the cemetery’s upkeep.
Research and local enthusiasm
Dr. Mavis Bryant, a researcher who contributed to the accompanying book, praised the uncovering of lesser‑known stories. “A lot of the people in that book tell stories that have not been told before,” she said. Bryant noted that both longtime residents and newcomers responded positively, with many expressing a newfound appreciation for Denison’s heritage. “The reenactors call attention to the drama — they make these people come to life,” she added.
Future plans
Buoyed by the event’s success, Hander and his team hope to expand the tour to additional sections of Fairview Cemetery in coming years. The “Stories Beyond the Stones” book, which compiles the biographies featured on the tour, is available at the Red River Railroad Museum, the Main Street Mall, and the Denison Visitor Center for those who wish to explore the city’s past in greater depth.
Preserving Denison’s character
Community members emphasized that preserving historic sites like Fairview Cemetery reinforces Denison’s unique character and offers a tangible link between past and present. As Hander put it, “It’s really been fun to get to explore where we came from and our rich history, but also see present people enjoy that history and know that we’re preserving it for the future.” The event underscores how local volunteers can combine education, heritage, and fundraising to strengthen the cultural fabric of Texoma.
Original reporting: KXII News 12 (Gray) — read the source article.
