Aaron Joy

Let George Do It Aaron Joy

George Hunsby (1910-1996) called Fairhaven home for most of his life. His wanderlust and convivial nature might label him a modern Tom Sawyer, with his adventures including serving in two wars, logging the county in the early century, an engineering aid on the survey creating the Mount Baker Highway, movie extra, Prohibition T-Man, gardener for the esteemed poet Ella Higginson, among other things. In retirement he found his true calling as a Whatcom County storyteller and historian, penning six history books and seven years of newspaper columns. Being older than the consolidated City of Bellingham he had seen changes few other historians had. He filled in the gaps between the photos and research others were collecting with homespun tales featuring the sights, sounds and feelings of a society long gone he'd known quite well. Following in his footsteps, I spent my college years working as a Bellingham historian. As the youngest historian in town I followed the oldest in having a history column for the Bellingham Herald. In 1999 I wrote the book A History of Bellingham's Parks, the first history of all the parks and open spaces past and present. When George died I decided pay tribute to him by writing this biography. Historians tell everyone else's stories, but rarely get their own stories told, but they can can often be just as interesting. This biography is primarily based on George's articles in the short-lived Bellingham Metropolitan and Bellingham Times newspapers, and his lesser known non-Fairhaven specific books, to provide a different view of his past than what most of his readers might know. Further, an extensive introduction painting the world of the history community at the time of George's death. This book was originally drafted in 1996, but not completed until 2021. Also here is a one man play, originally drafted in 2005, inspired by George's life. The play features a young man who does not want to grow up, as he'll lose everything he loves. This biography and play is a tribute from one former historian to another, that only took 25 years to the month to finish. Its important to remember those who paved the way and kept the past alive.