MISSOULA — Stories and Stones has returned to the Missoula City Cemetery following a multi-year hiatus due to COVID-19, providing an opportunity for Missoulians to learn about who made Missoula what it is.
People had the opportunity to walk through one of the city’s oldest cemeteries and learn about some of the historical figures that helped shape Missoula thanks to people who have a passion for history.
“I love to tell Missoula’s story it’s such a beautiful story of people who have made this community so rich, and what it is so for me it’s celebrating who we are as a community," event coordinator Suzette Dussault said.
Many of the storytellers dressed up and even acted like the people they are representing to engage the passing spectators.
“For me, this is important because as a high school student at Missoula County High School, I played with the Missoula City Band with a number of other high school students who were brought in to beef up the numbers," said David Barthelmess who told the story of Alex Stepensov, the man who directed the Missoula City Band for over 40 years. "Today, we boast more than 70 players who give concerts every Wednesday night in Bonner Park as a part of Missoula culture.”
The stories told in this cemetery may have happened long ago, but thanks to the people who continue to tell them their impact is still felt in the community.
