May 2, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 13 Mahwah Museum to present Civil War gravesite tour The Mahwah Museum will conduct a self-guided gravesite tour of the Ramapo Reformed Church and Mahwah Cemeteries on May 10 beginning at 6 p.m. The tour will be followed by a lecture by Thomas O’Brien, the museum’s expert on the Civil War. O’Brien will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the Ramapo Reformed Church Education Center. Tour participants will be given maps and other materials so they can locate the graves of about 31 Civil War soldiers buried in the two local cemeteries. Each gravesite is unique, from the large memorial to Benjamin Steel, killed in action at age 17, to the more modest, well-worn headstone marking the resting place of “Bernie” Paterson, 22nd NJ Inf. Reg. Each gravesite will be marked with a special flag. O’Brien is a frequent lecturer in the Museum Lecture Series. His popular programs on the Ford Motor Company and Road to Rails have been enjoyed by many audiences. His book, “The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, Mahwah, NJ 1955-1980” is a best-seller at the museum. The tour and lecture are part of the Mahwah Museum’s celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. An exhibit entitled “New Jersey Fights in the Civil War: Remembering Soldiers Buried in Mahwah” is on display at the Museum, 201 Franklin Turnpike, on Wednesdays and weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. through June 30 and on Sundays in July. For details, visit www.mahwahmuseum.org. At left: Grave of Benjamin Steel. Below: The grave of Bernie Paterson. Both sites will be featured on the museum’s tour.