Spending an afternoon strolling through Fort Hill Cemetery would be an afternoon well spent, says local author and tour guide Lydia Rosell.

Rosell will give a Memorial Day weekend tour of the Auburn cemetery this afternoon.

"They can look forward to a great network of information and connection of the lives of the people who created this fascinating city," she said.

About 25 of the 50 acres will be covered during the walk, and the proceeds will benefit the Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency.

Rosell, who wrote a book on the cemetery in 2002 and has studied it for 23 years, said there are many reasons to participate.

"Philosophically speaking, if you don't know where you came from, you don't know where you are," she said.

She said it interests her because she has spent half her life here.

"I got involved with the rich texture of history that Auburn has to offer," she said. "Many contemporary people have a microscopic view of it."

She said Auburn began as a thriving industrial and cultural city and grew rapidly.

"It came very close to becoming the capital of the state," she said.

During the tour, she will focus on the great political and social leaders as well as wealthy families and servants. She will also discuss the Native American history of the area.