Annual Silverbrook Cemetery tour going virtual

NILES, Mi.- Niles History Center, and Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery have teamed up to bring their annual in-person cemetery tour online.

Silverbrook Cemetery was purchased in 1836 and is the largest cemetery in Niles. Mollie Watson, the assistant Director of Niles History Center said there are individuals buried who have played a major role in Niles history.

“This year, we’ve just decided to do a who’s who of Niles history and focus on just a number of individuals, many people that still have a legacy today,” Watson said.

Every fall, the history center partners with Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery to hold an in-person tour. But, due to COVID-19, it’s going virtual. The online cemetery tour will consist of short videos for each individual featured, pictures of historical figures, and their grave markers. Some of the featured individuals on the tour include the Plym family, the Chapins, Ella Champion, and John Gibbner.

Watson said each person has made an impact in the community.

“Many people who still have a legacy in the community today. Like I mentioned the Plym family, you still have Plym park today, the Niles district Library they donated the land for that building, the Chapin’s obviously with the Chapin Mansion is a big name in Niles,” Watson said.

The first virtual tour can be foundhere and here. Watson said the other tours will be released in the next few weeks and to keep checking their Facebook page here for more information.