The Swiss Church Cemetery Committee is hosting two free walking tours of the historic Swiss Church Cemetery, in the heart of New Glarus, on Saturday, August 5th, starting at 9:00 a.m. Tour number two is a repeat of the previous year and will start at the Swiss Historical Village cemetery in front of the log church, 612 7th Avenue, New Glarus, at 9:00 a.m. This tour is 90-minutes long and tour hosts will tell of early New Glarus residents such as pioneer women, a Swiss veteran from the time of Napoleon, a New Glarus native lost for 30 years, war veterans, immigrant mothers, and a long-forgotten murder victim. There are inspiring stories as well as tragic ones — but each story will warm your heart and provide a greater appreciation of those who came before us.

This year, a third tour, The White Church Cemetery and its people, was a new tour added last year. This tour will be at the small cemetery location along HWY 39, and will start approximately at 10:45 a.m., just shortly after Tour Two is completed. It was established by the Evangelical United Brethren (The White Church). Due to the location of the number three tour, those attending will need to be able to walk to this location which is approximately a one block walk from the Swiss Center parking lot.

All tours have been researched and written by Bob Elmer, with Pioneer Cemetery research by Duane Freitag. These walking tours will provide a glimpse of New Glarus’ remarkable past and the people that made history in this unique community. Register for the cemetery tour today by calling the Swiss Church at (608) 527-2119, emailing kristina@swisschurch.org or through the Spirits of the Swiss Facebook Page.