Sam Terry’s Cemetery Walking Tour brings Barren County history to life

Sam Terry, a revered local historian with a passion for preserving Glasgow’s rich history, took enthusiasts on a captivating journey through time with a walking tour of the historic Glasgow Municipal Cemetery.

On an idyllic Saturday morning, history buffs and curious locals gathered at the gates of the cemetery, eager to explore the hidden stories and secrets nestled among the tombstones. Led by Terry, whose deep knowledge of the city’s past is renowned, the tour promised to unveil tales of the city’s illustrious figures and its lesser-known inhabitants. Starting the tour, he pointed out the heavy symbolism present on most of the headstones, from broken chains representative of a family member being lost, to depictions of ivy indicating eternal life, each stone told a story.

As the group ventured deeper into the cemetery, Terry’s engaging narrative brought to life the stories of notable figures from Barren County who shaped the city’s cultural, political, and economic landscape.  One such figure was Governor Preston Leslie a staunch prohibitionist, who may not have popular in life, but whose life held many interesting twists and turns. Eventually finding his way to his final resting place in Montana, Leslie’s mark on Kentucky was undeniable.

The Leslie monument is unique among the many headstones, as rather than stone, this monument was made of metal, as Terry explained, offering an amusing historical anecdote about the late governor’s monument.

From influential industrialists to pioneering women, each headstone served as a gateway to a bygone era, offering insights into Glasgow’s evolution over the centuries.

No tour of the cemetery would be complete without discussing one of the most prominent headstones, that of the “lady in the chair.” According to Terry, the lady in the chair was named Ella Ellis Carden. She and her husband, Lucien Carden, were well-to-do citizens and lived on North Race Street.

She died young and her distraught husband left money for a substantial monument to be erected and the lot to be cared for in perpetuity. Carden’s nephew and namesake, Lucian Carden Preston, (buried in the neighboring lot) was the trustee and overseer. The likeness of Ella was noted by her contemporaries as being extremely lifelike. The detail on the monument is outstanding, with Terry calling special attention to the detail of the “fabric” adorning the bust.

Terry spoke at length about many families, but one in particular, was the Depp family, had placed a stone near their family plot to indicate that African American enslaved by the family were buried in that spot, which is contradictory to a rumor that no person of African descent was buried at the municipal cemetery, as Terry explains.

Participants were captivated by Terry’s storytelling prowess, as he skillfully wove together tales of triumph, tragedy, and resilience. From the grand structures of affluent families to the humble graves of unsung heroes, the tour provided a poignant reminder of the diverse tapestry of Glasgow’s past.

As the tour concluded, participants expressed gratitude to Terry for his dedication to preserving Glasgow’s heritage and bringing history to life in such a memorable way. With plans for future educational events in the works, Terry remains committed to sharing the stories of Glasgow’s past and ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come.