Prime Stage Theatre is once again turning the historic grounds of Homewood Cemetery into a living classroom for Pittsburgh residents. On Saturday, the theatre will host its fourth annual Homewood Cemetery Walk, offering eight one‑hour tours that run from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
Costumed Actors Bring Local Legends to the Graveyard
Visitors will encounter professional actors in period attire portraying seven of the cemetery’s most interesting residents. Among them is David L. Clark, the Irish‑born “candy king of Pittsburgh,” who founded the Clark and Zagnut bars before his death in 1939 at age 75. Though long gone, Clark’s legacy lives on through the sweet treats still enjoyed today.
Other historic figures include award‑winning photojournalist Charles “Teenie” Harris, whose images captured the soul of mid‑century Pittsburgh; Gilded Age matron Lillian Mae Kress; Civil War officer David Boyd Morris; early‑19th‑century Pittsburgher Sara Scott Grayson; Bessie Wadding Wyant of the Florence Crittenton Women’s Home; and Catherine Heinz Mueller, whose husband Sebastian founded Eden Hall Farm, now operated by Chatham University.
Why the Walk Matters to Our Community
“Many of our mainstage plays have history as a central focus,” says Dr. Wayne Brinda, artistic director of Prime Stage Theatre. “The Cemetery Walk is a chance for us to present audiences with a personal look at historic Pittsburghers and the impact they had on shaping our community.” The event aligns with the theatre’s mission, founded in 1996, to bring literature and local heritage to life for families, students, and anyone interested in the city’s past.
Homewood Cemetery itself is a historic landmark, established in 1878 on the former estate of William Wilkins, a 19th‑century judge who served as U.S. minister to Russia and secretary of war under President John Tyler. Spanning 200 acres, the cemetery holds nearly 79,000 graves and features a variety of monuments, from angels and obelisks to elaborate mausoleums.
Practical Details
Tickets are available online at primestage.com. The walk is suitable for all ages, and participants are encouraged to bring a light jacket in case of cooler weather. The theatre hopes the event will foster a deeper appreciation for Pittsburgh’s rich cultural tapestry and inspire future generations to explore their heritage.
Prime Stage Theatre has produced more than 110 plays and earned national recognition as a leader in educational theatre. By blending performance with local history, the Homewood Cemetery Walk exemplifies the organization’s commitment to community enrichment and lifelong learning.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
