Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In Case You Missed It: A Cincinnati Public Radio (WVXU) article highlighted how legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) would help preserve the Hillcrest Cemetery, an historically Black burial ground in the Cincinnati area. Brown fought to pass the African American Burial Grounds Network Study Act last December with the help of then-Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and will continue advocating for its passage in the House. This legislation would create a voluntary, nationwide network of African American burial grounds and provide federal assistance to ensure the burial sites are preserved and maintained for future generations.
“Hillcrest is one of three segregated cemeteries for Black soldiers in the Cincinnati area. It was in use until the 1960s and fell into disrepair. Three volunteer groups — one after the other — have taken over maintenance. Mayer’s group, Friends of Hillcrest Cemetery, is a nonprofit currently maintaining it. Military service members are among rows and rows of weather-worn tombstones. Mayer says there are about 4,000 graves on the 15-acre site. More than 1,400 are military veterans,” wrote Jolene Almendarez with Cincinnati Public Radio.
Brown’s legislation would direct the National Park Service to study ways to account for and preserve historic African American cemeteries and burial grounds before they are lost to time, decay, or development. It would also develop ways to provide grant opportunities and technical assistance to local partners to research, identify, survey and preserve the burial grounds. The legislation has the support of more than 50 organizations around the country, including the Coalition for American Heritage, Union Baptist Cemetery in Cincinnati, and Heritage Ohio.
Read the Cincinnati Public Radio’s full article HERE or an excerpt below:
A century ago, Black soldiers fought for the Union. Today’s veterans work to preserve that history
By: Jolene Almendarez
November 1, 2021
Todd Mayer kneels beside a weathered headstone in Hillcrest Cemetery and pulls at some overgrown weeds near the resting place of Samuel Robinson.
Robinson fought in the 54th regiment in the Civil War, a nearly all-Black group of soldiers who famously challenged the Confederate Army at the second battle of Fort Wagner. It paved the way for Black soldiers to serve throughout the Union Army.
“They were top 5% of the very first Black Americans to fight in the Civil War for the Union — we have one here,” Mayer said. “So, we’re really honored to have a Glory soldier buried here amongst all these other heroes.”
Hillcrest is one of three segregated cemeteries for Black soldiers in the Cincinnati area. It was in use until the 1960s and fell into disrepair. Three volunteer groups — one after the other — have taken over maintenance. Mayer’s group, Friends of Hillcrest Cemetery, is a nonprofit currently maintaining it. Military service members are among rows and rows of weather-worn tombstones. Mayer says there are about 4,000 graves on the 15-acre site. More than 1,400 are military veterans.
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Click here to read the full story.
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