‘Meet the Spirits’ at Columbia Cemetery and Learn About the (In)Famous Lives of Those Interred There

On Oct. 9 from noon to 5 p.m., the stories of those interred at the cemetery will come to life.

“From the famous to the infamous and the founders to the scoundrels, ‘Meet the Spirits’ is a fun and not-so-scary-way to hear the unique and personal tales of those interred at Columbia Cemetery,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Ali Rhodes.

Community volunteers, and staff from Historic Boulder and the City of Boulder will dress in period clothing and share stories and secrets of cemetery residents. Attendees can learn about the early days of the city and cemetery residents’ personal struggles.

You never know which spirits will rise, but there may be appearances by gunslinger Tom Horn, photographer Rocky Mountain Joe, CU Professor Mary Rippon, architect Chauncey Stokes, and Civil War veteran and prospector Lew Wallace, aka “Indian Jack.” In addition, members of the Buffalo Soldiers organization and Colorado’s “Legendary Ladies” will be at the event.

Admission is free for all community members in the fourth grade in support of local history studies! There will be a scavenger hunt for kids and music performed by a harpist and bagpipers.

If there is inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16.

Learn more and buy tickets for the event at historicboulder.org/event/meet-the-spirits.

Funds raised benefit Historic Boulder and the PLAY Foundation, two organizations dedicated to preserving Boulder’s history and maintaining Columbia Cemetery. The event is sponsored by Winter and Company and The Natural Funeral.