Step back in time to early Lake County at the Bourlay Historic Nature Park. Sign up for a guided tour of the nature preserve by moonlight and lantern.
Your guide will discuss the rich history of the preserve and along the way, you will meet several historic figures in period dress. Meet locals Susan Lee, wife of Evander Lee, and Mary Ellen Robertson, considered the first mother of Leesburg. She and her husband John welcomed their first child in 1849. The Lees were the first permanent settlers, arriving in 1857. Leesburg was founded by and named after the Lee family. Hear from Massa Harbison, a Pioneer woman who was kidnapped and escaped from Indians and listen in on a conversation with descendants of the Morrison family, another early Leesburg family related to Mary Ellen. You may even catch up with Lydia Darraugh, a Revolutionary War Spy!
Reservations are required as space is limited to 30 people. To reserve your place, please call the Lake County Water Authority at 352-324-6141 ext 0. You will receive a call on Friday, 2/26 with the start time assigned to your group. Please be prompt as tours will be leaving at 6pm, 6:15pm and 6:30pm. The guided walk will take about 1 hour. There will be a S’mores campfire after the tour is finished. There is no seating available during the tour and masks are requested.
Date: Saturday, February 27 (Rain Date 2/28)
Location: Bourlay Historic Nature Park, (Leesbury)
Start Time: 6pm
Reservations: 352-324-6141 ext. 0
Hosted by the Lake County Water Authority and the Mary Ellen Robertson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
For more information on the Moonlight & Lantern History Tour or any Lake County Water Authority programs or preserves, visit www.lcwa.org or call 352-324-6141
