Rose Hill Company

Rose Hill company, a nonprofit organization, began in 2009 as a grassroots effort.  During the 1990s, the Victorian-age cemetery had fallen on hard times.  Debris and overturned cemetery had fallen upon hard times.  Debris and overturned cemetery markers littered the ten acre burial place.  Under the direction of Mr. Walton Moore and several committed volunteers, efforts were organized to bring the cemetery back to a place of beauty and dignity as it once was and as well extensive research brought forth stories about those buried there.  It was time to show it off.  Mr. Moore contacted local storyteller, Anne McKee in 2008.  He said, "Rose Hill Cemetery is the biggest secret in the City and I want it recognized as a treasure of local history."  He suggested "something like the cemetery in Natchez."

And Rose Hill Cemetery Costumed Tour began.  The first event was in 2010 and the local media estimated 4,000 were in attendance.  And since that time, excluding the COVID year of 2020, the event is presented each last Saturday in September, 7-9 pm.

Rose Hill Company, an all volunteer organization, continues to tell the stories of Rose Hill interments and also significant stories about Meridian and Mississippi history.  The narratives include personages and scoundrels as well as they speak from the grave by volunteer storytellers, dressed in period costume.  The event is a history lesson taught via the arts of storytelling and drama and all stories are documented and true.  There is no admission fee although donations are welcomed.  Year by year, some of the stories are rotated but the most requested ones remain each time such as Gypsy Queen and the last man hanged at Lauderdale County Jail.  A new favorite is referred as "The Bride's Story" when a young woman requested to be buried in her wedding dress with all the attendants who served in her wedding serve in her funeral as well.  

Rose Hill Company presents annual events, which are educational and entertaining as gifts to the Meridian community...great for all ages.

In February 2022, a second event was brought under the Rose Hill nonprofit umbrella.  Meridian Downtown History Walk, which was created in order to celebrate Meridian's birthday (February 10, 1860), with fifteen stories included in the event.  The first tour was a huge success and by public demand, has become an annual event.

The next Downtown History Walk is set for February 11, 2023.  Noon until 4:00 p.m.