Throwback Thursday: Sam Terry’s Autumnal Cemetery Walking Tours
Every headstone tells a story. Some belong to people whose names are still familiar more than a century after their deaths. Others mark the final resting places of individuals whose contributions to their communities have largely faded from memory. In Glasgow though, there’s one man who has spent decades making certain those stories aren’t forgotten. His name is Sam Terry, historian, researcher, storyteller, and passionate champion of Kentucky’s heritage. He’s devoted much of his life to uncovering and sharing the stories that shaped this region.
For 32 years, he’s invited the public to take a walk through history, literally. His annual Autumn Cemetery Walking Tours take place at Glasgow Municipal Cemetery, that was established in 1875. For more than 150 years, this cemetery has served as the final resting place for generations of Glasgow and Barren County residents. Among its markers are the stories of people who witnessed extraordinary changes in American history. From the aftermath of the Civil War and the arrival of the industrial age to two world wars and the transformation of small town Kentucky, the lives represented here offer a window into the past. Tours aren’t about dates carved into stone. They’re about the people behind those dates. The personalities, accomplishments, tragedies, mysteries, and unexpected connections that make local history so fascinating.
Sam’s knowledge of Kentucky history is extraordinary, and his willingness to share it is equally remarkable. Sam has been a wonderful friend to this Throwback Thursday segment over the years, frequently providing historical facts and inspiration for stories.
As someone who has spent years researching the history of southcentral Kentucky, I can tell you that having a resource like Sam Terry is invaluable because preserving history isn’t simply about remembering the famous names or monumental events. It’s about recognizing that ordinary people lived extraordinary lives, and that every community has stories worth telling. That’s the spirit behind these walking tours. Sam is still inviting new generations to discover history hiding in plain sight. This year’s tours will be held Saturday, October 24th at 10 a.m., Sunday, October 25th at 2 p.m., and Saturday, November 7th at 10 a.m. Each tour lasts approximately one hour and 10 minutes, beginning at the Veteran’s Memorial near the cemetery’s main entrance. The tours are free and open to everyone. Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged, and tours will be canceled in the event of rain.
While the setting might seem especially appropriate for the Halloween season, these tours offer something much more enduring than a spooky story. They remind us that cemeteries are also outdoor museums, filled with art, genealogy, architecture, and the personal histories of the people who built our communities. Thanks to historians like Sam Terry, those stories continue to live on, as history doesn’t disappear when the people who made it are gone. Well, as long as someone is willing to tell their stories.
