2 October 2018

A tour of the city’s historic Hamilton East Cemetery is a feature of Cemeteries Week 2018.

Cemeteries Week (8-14 October for 2018) is an annual initiative which aims to demystify death, the cemeteries and crematorium sector, and celebrates cemeteries’ role in our community as places for people to connect with one another. Cemeteries also contribute to a community’s stories and heritage, and understanding of its past.

Michelle Rivers, Hamilton City Council’s Cemeteries Manager, says cemeteries are key public spaces and should be appreciated by residents.

“Cemeteries are often portrayed as spooky or daunting, but the reality is they can be calming, tranquil and informative places,” she says.

“Hamilton’s two heritage cemeteries are the final resting places of some of our city’s historic figures and there are interesting stories behind a lot of the people buried there.”

To reflect the heritage and cultural value of the Hamilton East cemeteries, Ms Rivers has arranged for a special tour of the Hamilton East Cemetery, which will be led by local historian Lyn Williams.

At the Hamilton East Cemetery - on the crest of a hill to the east of Hamilton Gardens – a number of important Hamiltonians are laid to rest. They include farmer, militiaman and early Waikato Councillor William Steele (after whom Steele Park is named), farmer and Methodist preacher James Melville (after whom the city’s southwestern suburb is named) and also councillor, hospital board member and harness racing enthusiast Henry Tristram (after whom Tristram St is named).

The tour of the Hamilton East Cemetery takes place on Saturday 6 October, a couple of days before Cemeteries Week officially starts, and will start at 9.30am.

No bookings are required for any of the Cemeteries Week initiatives offered by Hamilton Cemeteries, but people planning to join the heritage cemeteries tours should wear sturdy and comfortable shoes.

At the equally historic Hamilton West Cemetery, visitors can scan a QR code on new signage which will open a website holding information on certain historic and significant people buried in the cemetery.

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