The first Decoration Day in Sumas City 1891! It looks as if the town was having a delightful picnic in the forest to commemorate Decoration Day. Notice on the left hand side of the photograph the musicians seated with their band equipment. Sumas obviously hasn't been totally logged off yet and was still heavily wooded.
Decoration Day was first established in 1868 by the Grand Army of the Republic. It was a time to decorate the Union Civil War veteran's grave and later convene for community picnics. It was considered a day of remembering. Finally by the turn of the 1900s the Confederate descendants merged their own day of remembrance and it became a time to remember all the fallen veterans.
Picture 1
Picture posted with permission from the Jim West Collection
This photograph is probably the first picture taken of a Sumas town function. there is a penciled notation on the mat of the photograph stating, "The First Decoration Day at Sumas City, 1891". This would have been taken in may of 1891 and Sumas was formally incorporated in June of 1891. A truly historical moment!
Now maybe we can try to identify some of the founding individuals of our town.
Picture 2
Posted with permission from the Jim West Collection
This is a cropped and enlarged section of Picture 1. It is the far left side in which you can see the band members seated with their instruments. Also notice the well dressed ladies seated on the bench with their back to the camera.
Picture 3
Posted with permission from the Jim West collection
This is another enlargement from picture 1. This is also on the left side of the photograph but to the right of the band. Again, everyone seems to be in their church going clothes.
Picture 4
Posted with permission from the Jim West Collection
Again, cropped from picture 1, a gathering of men and boys on the right side of photograph next to the large stump in the foreground.
Picture 5
Posted with permission from the Jim West collection
The speaker's stump in the foreground of the photograph. I found a copy of this picture in another collection which labeled the two men as follows: " On the stand, Judge Rysdorph, speaker and Tom Nicklin, Master of ceremonies."
Picture 6
Posted with permission from the Jim West collection
The dapper gentleman on the far right of the photograph.
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