Visit JoCo for the Holidays!

The Johnston County Heritage Center will stage its 19th annual Ghost Walk on Thursday, October 26, in Smithfield’s historic Riverside Cemetery. Beginning at 6 pm, five characters from Johnston County’s past will be brought back to life. Visitors will be greeted at the corner of Second and Church Streets beside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where they will be given guided tours through the cemetery. 

The line-up includes two ladies from the Great Depression era. Jessie Thurston of Clayton, portrayed by Mary-Leigh Hamilton, was a county welfare officer and newspaper columnist. Liz Cooper of Smithfield, portrayed by Emily Worth, was one of Johnston County’s first public health nurses. Also featured will be Col. Leon Penny of Smithfield, World War II veteran, pastor, and community leader, who will be portrayed by Kenny Howell. William Massengill will take on the character of composer and pianist Hunter Johnson of Benson. Reggie Parker will impersonate Jona Good of Princeton, an anti-Klan protester.   

“This is a fun educational event for all ages that a lot of people look forward to,” says event chairman Matt Dean. “This year we have some very interesting 20 th century personalities to highlight.” 

Admission charge is $5 for adults and $3 for students, payable at the event. No advance tickets will be sold.  For further information, call the Johnston County Museum at 919-938-5912, or visit the Heritage Center’s website at www.jcheritagecenter.org, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jocoheritage.