The Sam Rayburn House Museum will once again host its annual Cemetery Walking Tour of Willow Wild Cemetery.
This year the walking tour, “Where Legends Rest: A Walking Tour of Willow Wild Cemetery” will take place on Saturday, October 27, at 10 a.m. The tour will begin near the entrance gates to Willow Wild at Sam Rayburn’s grave.
This year’s tour theme focuses on some of the notable historical figures of Bonham. The names on this tour may seem familiar; I.W. Evans, Choice Moore, and Tom Bean are just a few that are included. The tour will include brief biographical sketches of each person as the group visits their gravesite.
Willow Wild Cemetery was established in 1878. The land where the cemetery sits was initially used as a supply headquarters during the Civil War. Following the end of the war, the land was part of the Hildinger farm. Early Bonham settler John P. Simpson bought the land for use as a cemetery and deeded it to the Masonic Lodge. The first burial in the cemetery was Fanny Glover Duncan. Her husband, James A. Duncan, was active in the Masonic Lodge and assisted in the founding of the cemetery.
The tour is free. The museum will provide free refreshments during the tour.
The Sam Rayburn House Museum tells the real story of Sam Rayburn, one of the most powerful and influential politicians of the 20th century, in his authentic 1916 home. Preserved as a period time capsule, the two-story home contains all original Rayburn furnishings. The Sam Rayburn House Museum is one of 20 historic attractions operated by the Texas Historical Commission. For more information visit www.visitsamrayburnhouse.com