DERRY — Benjamin Franklin — Founding Father, statesman, inventor and 18th-century master of the sound bite — once said, “Show me your cemetery and I will tell you what kind of people you have.”

If Franklin had stopped at Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry, he would have seen that the original settlers of southern New Hampshire were hard-working men and women who laid the foundation for nearly 300 years of industry, culture and faith.

On Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the First Parish Congregation Church in East Derry — behind which Forest Hill Cemetery is located — will celebrate those original Scotch-Irish settlers and the early history of Derry at the town's Heritage Day.

“The early history of First Parish Church is really the history of the founding of Derry, and we're happy to share and celebrate this history with the entire community at Heritage Day,” said the Rev. Sue Remick, interim senior pastor at First Parish.

Most events will take place at or within walking distance of the church, which is located at 47 East Derry Road in East Derry Village.

T.J. Cullinane and the Friends of Forest Hill will offer tours and talks about the cemetery and its collection of early-American gravestones. At 11 a.m. there will be a talk on Derry's Civil War heroes, and at 2 p.m., the Friends will present a talk on Civil War Lt. George Upton.

In addition, Rick Holmes, town historian, will tell tales about Derry's past and the town's notable forgotten citizens at 10 a.m.

There will also be tours and presentations featuring First Parish, the Upper Village Hall and the Taylor Library, where volunteers will serve historical treats. The Downtown Derry History Museum will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other activities will include a flax-spinning demonstration by Shirley Walker and historic games and crafts for kids organized by the Girl Scouts of First Parish.

Paul Lindermann, who headed up the effort to organize Heritage Day, said the planning involved finding events that would offer a little something to everyone.

Gardeners can browse through a plant sale of native species, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and other annuals, perennials and vegetables from Chakarian Farm Greenhouses.

East Derry resident and antiques expert Hercules Pappachristos will be available from 10 a.m. to noon to appraise old treasures. Pappachristos said he cannot appraise coins, stamps or jewelry because of their specialized nature, but other items are welcome. Appraisals are $5 per item and each person can bring up to five items.

All parties have entertainment, and Heritage Day will feature bagpipe and Irish step-dance performances with local bagpiper Kirk Brunson and the Gorgol family. At 3 p.m. the Alvirne High School Jazz Band will perform in the Upper Village Hall.

The highlight of the day for many will undoubtedly be the Highland Games exposition and contest, which will include a demonstration of caber tossing — the artful throwing of a heavy length of tree trunk — and a sheaf-toss contest, an open competition to see who can throw a heavy bag of wheat the highest. The games kick off at 10 a.m.

“We also have a safer kid's version of these games with cardboard objects,” said Lindermann.

It has been a few years since Derry's last Heritage Day (the church has held several similar celebrations in the past), and Lindermann hopes residents come out and share some of the local history that belongs to all of Derry.

“Local history is a good way to build a sense of community,” he said. “That's what we're trying to achieve.”

For more information on Heritage Day, visit First Parish's website at fpc-ucc.org/heritage/.