Finding Lost Cemetery Sites in Montgomery County: A Landscape Perspective

Summary

Historical and archaeological research in Montgomery County, Maryland is helping to recover the location of lost African American burial sites. The research has been carried out by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission staff, CRM contractors, and members of the public including descendants. The sites investigated illuminate post Civil War African American burial patterns including evidence that some African American families and institutions bought land on or near places where their family and ancestors were buried. Emerging results are also consistent with a working predictive model based on topography, farm boundaries and historical land use. These initiatives are providing more reliable locations for cemeteries in Montgomery County as well as a fuller context for appreciating the significance of these vulnerable sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2024

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow