Reclaiming our People and History at Lakeside Cemetery

(Hastings, Minnesota) Building Bridges in Hastings, Friends of LeDuc and Historic Hastings, Melgard Monuments, and Lakeside Cemetery are hosting an event to honor Hastings forgotten black settlers on Saturday, May 18, 1 - 2 p.m., at Lakeside Cemetery Irving Todd Jr Boulder Garden.* Most of the graves of Hastings’ early black settlers were unmarked. Thanks to the efforts of Building Bridges, Friends of LeDuc and Historic Hastings, and Lakeside Cemetery over the past year many of the graves have been identified and monuments have been placed at the grave sites. Reclaiming our People and History will celebrate the group’s efforts and help create awareness of the contribution of Hastings early black settlers to our community.

Program begins at 1 p.m. and includes:

Music by Mary Ellen Fox, Brin Peterson, and John Goolsby        

Welcome comments and prayer by Gordon Gathright

Oral History of his great grandfather James Curry’s life by James Curry

Honor Guard Salute by Hastings VFW

Walking tours highlighting the history of Hastings’ black pioneers

Refreshments

*Rain or shine.  There is no rain date.

Who is James Curry?

Local historians believe James was born the son of a freedman in Virginia.  Energetic, resourceful and engaging, he was perhaps the most beloved member of black Hastings pioneers.  When he died, businesses and schools closed in his honor. James and his wife are buried at Lakeside as are

several other black pioneers and civil war veterans. James Curry’s great grandson is also named James Curry. He lives in the Twin Cities with his family and is a documentary film maker.

Curry Woods Scattering Garden

The Curry Woods Scattering Garden, a tree canopied setting designed for scattering cremated remains at Lakeside Cemetery, was named for this Hastings early settler. As a place for remembrance, Lakeside strives to provide a beautiful place for families and community to honor and remember loved ones.  James Curry’s story is not well known. The Board of Trustees felt that James was deserving of this honor and the community would benefit by learning more about him. Learn more about James and other Hastings black settlers interred at Lakeside during the walking tour.

Building Bridges in Hastings

Building Bridges in Hastings is a newly formed organization dedicated to creating a more welcoming and inclusive community using history and art.

Friends of LeDuc and Historic Hastings

Friends of LeDuc and Historic Hastings preserve, interpret and promote the distinctive history of the LeDuc Estate and Hastings Community through events, programs and collaboration.

Lakeside Cemetery Association

Lakeside Cemetery is a non-profit organization governed by a board of trustees responsible for maintaining and preserving the grounds and records. Lakeside Cemetery is non-denominational and offers traditional burial as well as cremation interment options. More information is available on Lakeside Cemetery’s website at www.lakesidecem.org

Lakeside Cemetery Since 1867

On May 6, 1867 nine enterprising Hastings women organized the Lakeside Cemetery Association and secured 13 acres overlooking the Mississippi River and Lake Rebecca to serve as a final resting place for families, friends and the community. Since then Lakeside Cemetery has grown from 13 to 34 acres and serves as a final resting place for 5,500 people, including more than 500 veterans.

Photos include James Curry, great grandson of James Curry, in the Pioneer Room at Hastings City Hall and James Curry with Heidi Langenfeld in the Pioneer Room. Historic photo is Hastings early black pioneers James and Ella Curry and their 10 children.