Historic Mercer Cemetery Hosts Spirit Walk, Spooky Movie Night This October

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Mercer Cemetery at Trenton—the oldest non-secular cemetery in the city and resting place of more than 400 Trentonians, will be hosting two public programs in October.

The events aim to give attendees an experience of history, wonder, and a touch of autumn mystery.

Here’s what’s planned:

Whispers of Trenton’s Past — Guided Spirit Walk

Saturday, Oct.11 • 2 – 4 p.m. Step inside the gates where history stirs even in daylight. Board President Thomas Barclay and nationally recognized medium Danielle Schwartz will lead guests through Mercer Cemetery at Trenton, sharing stories attributed to Trenton’s earliest leaders, including the city’s first mayor and some of its most eccentric souls. Tickets: $50 via TicketLeap. (This is a walking tour across historic grounds, comfortable shoes recommended.)

“Mercer Cemetery is a piece of history hiding in plain sight,” Barclay said. “These programs welcome our community to encounter the past where it happened—and to keep its stories alive.”

Outdoor Movie Night — 'Coraline'

Friday, Oct. 24 • 6:30 p.m. (co-hosted with the City of Trenton) Bring a chair, a blanket, and your curiosity for a family-friendly film with a delightfully eerie edge. Coraline follows a young girl who discovers a seemingly perfect world behind a secret door until she realizes its love is stitched together with lies and buttons. To escape the grasp of the sinister “Other Mother,” she must outwit the shadows before they claim her forever. (Free community screening. Seating on the lawn is a first-come, first-served.)

Mercer Cemetery is home to over 200 Civil War veterans and many of Trenton’s most fascinating figures. The Cemetery’s volunteer Board stewards this historic site, offering programs that connect neighbors and visitors to Trenton’s rich past.

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