On October 21 at 10:00 am, the Niles History Center is teaming up with the Friends of Silverbrook to offer cemetery tours. Learn about historical people and famous folks who played an important role in the history of Niles, including Orville Coolidge, John Gipner and Ella Champion. Several individuals who were instrumental in the business and industrial development of the city, such as Carmi Smith, former mayor and real estate developer, and Kawneer founder Francis Plym are interred here as well.
This year’s tour will place special emphasis on the Garden of Memory. Attendees will walk through the 1930s addition to the cemetery with special stops at the Chime Tower and Silverbrook Abbey. The Silverbrook Abbey was built in 1926 and serves as the final resting place for many area residents, including well-known optician, Dr. Fred Bonine and William Harrah, a co-founder of National Standard. The tour is free but donations are appreciated and will benefit the Friends of Silverbrook and the History Center. Reservations are recommended as tour space is limited. Please call 269-845-4054 to register.
Please check the Niles History Center's website, www.nileshistorycenter.org, for more information or call 269-845-4054. The Niles History Center is located at 508 E. Main Street, Niles, MI. To receive first notice of upcoming programs and events, consider becoming a member of the History Center.