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Seattle's "Lost" Potter's Field 

Learn the tragedy and mysteries of Seattle's "lost" Potter's Field, also known as the Duwamish Cemetery, and the 3,260 people buried there from 1876-1912. The dredging and straightening of the Duwamish River triggered the exhumation and cremation of 3,260 people buried at the Potter's Field. Their ashes were mishandled, with no final resting place provided for these lost souls.

Learn more, get involved, and help unearth these stories lost over the last 100 years. 

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Potter's Field Memorial Project

We seek to organize a call for artists to create a public memorial for the 3,260 buried at the Duwamish Cemetery. We seek to gather input from tour guests, volunteers, and other community partners on goals for the memorial, and then support a community-led process to develop a call for artists. 

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Share your ideas today!

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We envision something physical to mark the location in the vicinity of the old Poor Farm site and/or the former Duwamish Cemetery area near today’s Duwamish River, as well as an online presence to increase visibility and access. 

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Resources and Social Impact

We encourage you to learn about, donate to, or get involved with these organizations:

  • King County's Indigent Remains Program provides burial for King County residents who have died without resources or family to claim their remains for a proper burial.

  • Share - Wheel are self-organized, democratic, grassroots organizations of homeless and formally homeless individuals.

  • Women in Black host silent witnessing vigils honoring the lives of homeless individuals who have died while living on the streets of Seattle.

  • Cairn Canine Detection uses highly specialized human remains detection K9s and search planning tools to locate and document human remains.

  • Georgetown Tiny House Village: With 46 tiny house units, case management services, kitchen, laundry, and restroom/shower facilities Georgetown Village provides a safer place for individuals and couples to recover from homelessness and transition to permanent housing.

  • Duwamish River Community Coalition: provides resources, knowledge, and action to build more just environmental futures.

  • Friends of Georgetown History: is a non profit 501(c3) organization dedicated to celebrating the neighborhood of Georgetown's many contributions to Seattle's early years.

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