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Aug. 29 - Sept. 12 - Sept. 26 - Oct. 3
WHAT: Starting on Saturday, August 29, the Friends of the Cemetery in partnership with The Trylon Microcinema will show an alien related series of four films to benefit the restoration of the historic fence surrounding Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. The 2015 Fall Film Series includes: Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters, The Haunting, Poltergeist, and Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages.
The films were chosen by the Friends of the Cemetery to provide family fun in the spirit of Halloween and other autumn celebrations with a dose of nostalgia reminiscent of drive-in movies. The organization hopes with special events like these to make the cemetery space one that can be enjoyed by and welcoming to all.
Gates will open for each event an hour before dusk and the films will start at dusk. Moviegoers arriving early will have the opportunity to experience the historic cemetery and partake in a smart phone history hunt. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, but pets will not be allowed during the event. Coolers and alcoholic beverages will also be prohibited during the event, but food will be available for purchase from the Taco Taxi food truck.
No vehicle parking allowed in the cemetery. On-street parking is available nearby and using public transportation or biking to the event is encouraged. The Lake Street light rail stop is a short walk from the cemetery and it is also easily accessible from multiple bike routes. Bike parking will be provided within the cemetery.
The Friends of the Cemetery hope to have more than 300 attendees come out for each of the film viewings. Tickets for the first three films are $5 when purchased online a week in advance of the film or $8 after. Tickets for Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages are $10. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets or at the cemetery gate (cash only). Kids under 12 are free. If you are unable to attend the event, but would still like to support the fence restoration project, you can go online to the Friends of the Cemetery site and learn how to Adopt-A-Picket for $30 or make any size donation.
WHEN:
Alternative dates for inclement weather have been set for September 5 (Santo and Blue Demon Against the Monsters), September 19 (The Haunting) October 3 (Poltergeist), and October 10 (Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages).
WHERE: Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
2925 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis
MORE: About Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery
Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, established in 1853 and originally named Layman’s Cemetery, is the oldest cemetery in Minneapolis. It is also a Minneapolis landmark and the only cemetery in Minnesota that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the final resting place of over 21,000 pioneers, veterans, and immigrants. It contains the graves of some of the first settlers of the city, many of whom made major contributions to local history; soldiers and veterans of the War of 1812, the Dakota Conflict, the Civil War, the Mexican American War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I; mid to late nineteenth century European immigrants, early African American citizens, and abolitionists. Notable individuals buried in the cemetery include Philander Prescott, Charles W. Christmas, and William Goodridge. In 1925, a group began to organize to save the cemetery for its historical importance. The group’s effort is recognized as an early, local attempt at historic preservation.
One of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places
In 2008, to raise awareness about the challenges of maintaining this landmark, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota placed the cemetery on its “Ten Most Endangered Historic Places” list. Today, the cemetery is in need of substantial capital improvements. The most immediate of those is the restoration of the historic fence that lines the cemetery on Lake Street and Cedar Avenue. The steel fence is 1,953 linear feet, contains 3,510 pickets, 67 metal sections and 65 limestone piers.
Fence Restoration Project Update
The $1.2 million metal fence restoration project is complete. This portion of the fence restoration project was funded in part by a grant from the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Program. Funds are currently being raised to complete restoration to the 65 limestone piers that line the cemetery on Lake Street and Cedar Avenue.
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