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In the 1800s, Milwaukee did not have many public parks, so on sunny weekends, people would visit the lush Forest Home Cemetery, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave.
“As many as 8,000 people would show up, dressed in their finest and promenade through the cemetery in their carriages,” says Forest Home Cemetery docent, Cyndi Kramer.
Often they would stop for a picnic at the graveside of a loved one.
“Beef sandwiches, fruit and gingersnaps were common fare for these picnics,” says Kramer.
Thus, Kramer decided to research unfamous but interesting people buried in the cemetery and share their stories with the public via a picnic next to their grave.
The lunchtime series, called “Death and a Sandwich,” will take place three times this summer: Monday, June 10; Monday, July 15 and Monday, August, 19. All of the picnics run from 12 to 1:30 p.m. and cost $10.
Guests bring their own sandwiches, beverages and blankets. Each event will focus on a different person buried in the cemetery and will not be announced until guests arrive for the picnic.
“It’s super important to me that all of my tours include women and people of color,” says Kramer. “Historically, tours have focused on dead, white guys – like the beer barons – and it drives me crazy.”
Kramer invited us for a practice graveside picnic – with roast beef sandwiches, of course – and we sat in the Gitzkow family section. She shared tales of Clara Gitzkow, who was born in 1875, and was brought to trial for having an underaged affair with two Chinese launderers.
Although it’s unknown what exactly happened in the backroom of the laundromat between Clara and the men, they were convicted but then released because – get this – the age of consent in Milwaukee was lowered to 12 years old just before or after the sentencing.
Kramer’s knowledge of Milwaukee history is vast and well researched. She has a friendly delivery style and is very easy to listen to.
“I really like the salacious and macabre,” says Kramer.
To get tickets to “Death and a Sandwich,” go here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
