People interested in the history of Fort Macleod have a chance next week for a lesson in an unusual setting.
Historian George Kush will lead a tour beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 in Union Cemetery.
Kush will share stories about some of the people buried in Union Cemetery, and will reveal some unique aspects of the cemetery itself.
“George is going to take people to different spots in the cemetery,” said Joan Sillito of the Fort Macleod Library. “He knows where the pioneer graves are, where the markers are gone.”
The tour is to be family-friendly — and fun.
Following the tour, people will convene at Stronghold Brewery for a taste of a new drink being brewed for the occasion.
The cemetery history tour is being organized by the Fort Macleod Library at the suggestion of Holly Williams.
“Last year I hosted an exchange student for the first time and we were always on the lookout for things to do in town,” Williams said. “One day I took her to the cemetery to learn about the history of Fort Macleod. It was really unique to see how the tombstones reflected stories that I knew about Fort Macleod.”
“It got me thinking that it might be a great way to engage people in the community to learn more about Fort Macleod’s history but from a different perspective. Every person has a story and every person wants to be remembered.”
They chose Kush to lead the tour based on his extensive knowledge of the history of Fort Macleod and district.
“George is really knowledgeable about the cemetery,” Sillito said. “He’s got lots of stories to tell.”
Williams said the tour is for people of all ages.
“It’s a great way to engage kids about the history of Fort Macleod and to also model respectful behavior in a graveyard,” Williams said. “It’s for history buffs. Folks who get bored sometimes and wonder, ‘What can I do in Fort Macleod at night?’”
Legendary scout Jerry Potts, who brought the North West Mounted Police to what is now Fort Macleod at the end of their historic March West, and Const. James Nash, the first Mountie killed in the line of duty, are just two of the famous people who are laid to rest.
Some of the founding members of the Town of Fort Macleod and southern Alberta are buried in Union Cemetery.
Union Cemetery contains the graves of 40 Mounties.
Victoria Cross recipient Brigadier General Harvey, commanding officer of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in World War One, is also buried in Macleod.
D.W. Davis, a whisky trader who upon the arrival of the Mounties became their chief supplier and later was elected to Parliament, is at rest in the cemetery.
Also buried in Fort Macleod are three pilots killed in training at the British Commonwealth Air Training Program base in World War Two.
Participants will meet at Union Cemetery prior to the start of the tour at 6 p.m.
People are asked to bring flashlights and to dress appropriately for the weather.
“I’m definitely open to it becoming an annual event,” Williams said. “The graves are incredibly interesting, especially some of the very old ones. I found one that said something like, ‘He died by a gunshot wound. It wasn’t his fault.’ Another one I found said something like, ‘Here lies Betty. She baked great pies.’ There’s a lot of storytelling going on there. And with Remembrance Day coming up, I also think it’s worthwhile to stop and look at the graves of our soldiers. Depending on how the community responds, we could definitely make this an annual event.”
