The Rye African-American Cemetery, also known as the African Cemetery in Rye, is a historic 1.4 acre cemetery[2] on North Street in Rye, New York. It was established as a burying ground for local African-Americans in 1860 [3] through a donation of land by the Underhill family with the intent that it “shall forever hereafter kept, held and used for the purpose of a cemetery or burial place for the colored inhabitants of the said Town of Rye, and its vicinity free and clear of any charge".[4] At least 35 of the individuals buried there are American veterans including men who served with the 20th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. The last documented burial in the cemetery was in 1964.
African Cemetery | |
 Bell family plot | |
   | |
| Location | North St., Rye, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°58′34″N 73°42′12″W / 40.97611°N 73.70333°W |
| Area | 1.4 acres (0.57 ha) |
| Built | 1860 |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000999[1] |
| Added to NRHP | October 03, 2003 |
The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.[5] In 2004, it was added to the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County, a group of 14 sites which include Stony Hill Cemetery, Villa Lewaro and the Jay Estate.[6]
Stewardship
editThe cemetery is cared for and being restored by the non-profit Friends of the Rye African-American Cemetery[7] together with descendants of those buried there and the local NAACP chapter. The Friends have led the preservation effort since 2010[8] In 2021, over 40 stones were conserved in a joint effort between the Friends of the Rye African American Cemetery, World Monuments Fund, Jay Heritage Center and Woodlawn Conservancy.[9] The preservation effort was launched to coincide with the new federal Juneteenth celebration.
The Rye African-American Cemetery is located next to the southwest portion of Greenwood Union Cemetery and is accessed through the front entrance of Greenwood Union. New signage for the burial ground to make it easier to locate and reinforce its identity as a separate entity was installed in 2021 as part of revitalization efforts.[10]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Chris Falcone (February 23, 2007). "Local Cemetery Reconnects Vivid Past". The Rye Sound Shore Review.
- ^ "Cemetery Offers Life Lessons". The Journal News. May 8, 1999. p. 2A.
- ^ "African American Cemetery". Town of Rye. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ Town of Rye – African Cemetery Archived 2014-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "African American Heritage Trail brochure". Westchester County, New York. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ "Friends of the Rye African American Cemetery Facebook page". Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ "African-American Cemetery In Rye To Hold Memorial Day Ceremony". Black Westchester. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ Dave Thomas (June 25, 2021). "Bringing History to Life at the African-American Cemetery in Rye, NY". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Historic African American Cemetery in Rye gets new signage, revitalization". News 12. Oct 13, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.