News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Thursday December 25th 2025
Safeguarding the past to instill identity in the present and inspire the future
By Sue Hunter Weir
I started doing research in Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery in the 1990s when the Phillips Neighborhood was having a very tough time of it. We were widely known as “crime-ridden” Phillips,” as though that was our defining characteristic.
I wanted people, not just those who live in Phillips, to be reminded of the fact that we are a community with an interesting and proud past, as well. Although the people who are buried in the cemetery did not all live here, they are representative of the themes that truly do define our neighborhood: immigration and migration, transportation, jobs and affordable housing. In short, they are us, we are them.
I feel an obligation to safeguard our history. There is evidence that children who are grounded in their families”' and communities”' pasts have stronger senses of who they are and where they fit in the grand scheme of things. They do better in school.
 I have no doubt that it works the same way for adults–it is good for our mental health which in turn is good for our physical health.
The argument that I have made, what seems like countless times now, is that history is not a thing.… Read the rest “Safeguarding the past to instill identity in the present and inspire the future”
Sue Hunter Weir Honored Deserving for Preserving
By Brad Pass
Sue Hunter Weir was awarded the prestigious Steve Murray Award in recognition of her leadership and dedication to heritage preservation in Minneapolis.
Our friend, neighbor and long-time contributor to The Alley Newspaper (including 112 Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery) was honored May 15th in a gala luncheon celebration at International Market Square.
This was the twenty-fourth Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards ceremony and was sponsored by co-partners Preserve Minneapolis, The American Institute of Architects Minneapolis and The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.
Ms. Weir was among ten honorees being recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the historical treasures of Minneapolis.
Sue Hunter Weir is perhaps best known for her preservation work on the Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery at the intersection of Cedar Ave. and Lake St. in South Minneapolis. She was instrumental in forming the non-profit, Friends of the Cemetery, which has raised over $900,000 for the restoration of the historic iron fence surrounding the site. Her work has helped transform the oldest surviving cemetery in Minneapolis from a dilapidated and forgotten relic of the past to a center of community life in the neighborhood, hosting music events, tours, lectures and Cinema in the Cemetery.… Read the rest “Sue Hunter Weir Honored Deserving for Preserving”
Buster Keaton, “The General” and Dreamland Faces combine for exquisite night at Cinema in the Cemetery
Saturday, May 24th, was a night to remember at Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery. Over 300 adults and an undetermined number of children under the age of 12 were on hand at the cemetery to watch Buster Keaton”'s 1926 classic silent film, “The General.” If you”'ve never seen the movie, The General is not a person but a locomotive. The locomotive, the great love of Johnny Gray”'s (Keaton) life, runs away with his sweetheart Annabelle, the second greatest love of his life. The film, set during the Civil War, is generally regarded as the greatest train movie ever made and is often listed among the top 100 American-made films. It is one hour and twenty minutes of chases, intrigue, stunts and slapstick comedy. Keaton never used a stuntman and took enormous risks while making what he considered his masterpiece.
If something that is perfect can be made even “more perfect,” Dreamland Faces, local musicians, made that happen. For the full hour and twenty minutes they played a live soundtrack using a variety of instruments””piano, horn, drums, musical saw and accordion among them. If you missed “The General,” you”'ll have plenty of other opportunities to see and hear them perform around town.… Read the rest “Buster Keaton, “The General” and Dreamland Faces combine for exquisite night at Cinema in the Cemetery”
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