African Friends to Harmony Burial Ground: The excavation and reinternment of 19th century African American subscription cemetery.

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

In 1826 West Philadelphia, members of the free African American community recognized the need for a cemetery to accommodate their local religious community. Located on the 4110 block of Chestnut Street, this cemetery was operated by the African Friends to Harmony (AFH), a benevolent society that interred members of local African American churches and those who were in financial need. Utilized from 1826 until at least 1882, the cemetery was sold in 1910 due to overwhelming city tax burdens. A portion of the former cemetery was purchased by the University of Pennsylvania in 1986 and used as secure parking until 2018 when the existence of the AFH Burial Ground was re-discovered. In consultation with the descendant churches, it was determined that relocation to a more respectful setting would be appropriate. To that end AECOM, respectfully disinterred a total of 161 historical interments, which were reburied at the NRHP-listed Eden Cemetery.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2022 SHA Poster Submissions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2022

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology