EVERETT June 19: The Historic Everett Cemetery Tour is an opportunity for Everett residents to learn and appreciate the history of those before them. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday June 22, Historic Everett will lead a tour through the oldest part of the Evergreen Cemetery.
“The goal of the tour is to invite people to see Everett’s oldest cemetery and learn about the residents that are buried there. Historic Everett educates, advocates and promotes historical preservation and this is just one way we do it,” Historic Everett President Andrea Tucker said.
Over 50,000 people are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery according to the Everett Public Library website. “Approximately 150 veterans of the American Civil War, four governors (from Washington, Minnesota, and the Dakota Territories), two United States Senators, and the great-great-great grandmother of President Barack Obama call Evergreen their final resting place,” the website said.
Long-time Everett local Gene Fosheim will lead participants through several graves of Washington State governors, key architects of Everett’s historic buildings, the Firemen’s Memorial and more. He said that each year he showcases different stories, so that people can join year after year and still learn new things about the cemetery.
There will be interesting, quirky, and sad stories to be told Tucker said.
Fosheim said he became obsessed with history and learning about people’s stories. Growing up in Everett he would climb the nationally known Rucker’s Tombstone, a memory almost every kid growing up in Everett has he said. He does not recommend it now, as it is dangerous.
Historic Everett was founded in 2002, and for the last 10 years, Tucker has been organizing the historic cemetery tours she said.
Tickets for the general public start at $10, and for Historic Everett members, at $5. The tour will meet at the North gate entrance on Broadway.
A light brunch will be available, offered by Evergreen Cemetery. Tucker said the Evergreen Cemetery has been “very generous” in supporting Historic Everett.
Fosheim does private tours of the cemetery with groups of up to 15. Donations received get donated to historical organizations or animal shelters he said.
Historic Everett hosts a variety of events to promote historic preservation. Later this month and into August, Historic Everett will lead Harbor Tours in partnership with the Port of Everett.
“It’s always a lot of fun and people really love doing it,” Fosheim said.
For more information on Historic Everett and future events, see here: https://historiceverett.org/
