Manatee Village Historical Park will be giving free, staff-led cemetery tours on October 9th and 23rd. Three daytime tours will be given both days and will explore the oldest public cemetery in Manatee County. The 1850 Manatee Burying Ground was the first burying ground for the Village of Manatee, the first established community between Tampa and Key West dating back to 1842. The Burying Ground was in use from 1850-1892 with a few family burials occurring up until the 1960s.
Each staff member will be giving a unique tour and the public will be able to reserve spots in advance. During the hour-long tour, guests will explore different facets of Manatee County’s history while being guided by a staff member. These tours will be available at 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM on Saturday October 9th and Saturday October 23rd. Appropriate clothing and footwear is encouraged. Tours take place outside with natural elements and will include long periods of standing and walking, uneven ground, and exposure to sunlight and rain. At staff discretion, tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Rain date will be November 13th.
Tours are FREE but space is limited to 15 people. Reservations are not required but are encouraged as availability of space on the day of the tours is not guaranteed. Reservations can be made online at the link provided at www.manateevillage.org/events or over the phone at (941) 749-7165.
Manatee Village Historical Park is located at 1404 Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) Bradenton, Florida. For more information call (941) 749-7165 or visit: www.manateevillage.org
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Text and image courtesy of Manatee Village Historical Park. Manatee Village Historical Park is a part of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Historical Resources Department. This program is offered in conjunction with the Manatee County Historical Commission, Inc.