African Cemetery No. 2 officials understand the importance of telling entire history
The Feb. 27 article on Civil War Veterans buried in African Cemetery No. 2 highlighted an important part of this site’s significance for Lexington’s history. A commentator subsequently indicated how urban development could impinge on grounds considered sacred by a marginalized group. Specifically, Fred Rogers’s masters thesis at UK identified losing cemetery property to rail development ca. 1887 and damage due to storm drain construction in 1934 as relevant examples. This would also be a part of Lexington’s history that should not be forgotten.
But it’s important to let documentation clarify events. The cemetery property was surveyed in 2001, which confirmed its boundaries were the same as those in two phases of purchase in 1869 and 1875. The railroad did not impinge on the property, though it might look as though it had. A deed of easement was signed in 1934 by the cemetery managers to permit installing a storm sewer through the cemetery. But the easement terms stipulated that no heavy equipment be used and that the grounds be restored when the work was done. So, it would be unfair to assume development occurred without informed consent and mutual agreement.
The past neglect of this property is as much due to death and demographics as it is to civic disinterest. We hope that has changed. The mission of African Cemetery No. 2 Inc. (the non profit organization that manages the cemetery) is to preserve, protect, and memorialize African Cemetery No. 2 as the first cemetery in Lexington organized and operated by freed blacks. In the archival research that has been done by Ms. Yvonne Giles and Dr. Ann Butler (among others) we have started to recognize just how complex Lexington’s African American community was and how much it contributed to city, state, and national history in agriculture, education, law, literature, and national defense.
Since its inception in 1979, African Cemetery No. 2 Inc. has had ongoing cooperation with Lexington city government and most recently the LFUCG. LFUCG and 1st district representatives have been active supporters of African Cemetery No. 2, Inc. since I have been involved with this group. They recognize the significance of this site (on the National Register of historic places) as a tangible historic record of Lexington’s African American community and as urban green space in the East end contributing to environmental quality and parks in easy access to all Lexingtonians.
We would never argue against receiving more civic funding. But over the past 20 years LFUCG has contributed to infrastructure development, sponsored events, landscaping, and tree planting. In making Juneteenth a recognized city holiday, and participating in our Juneteenth events at the cemetery, LFUCG and its representatives have demonstrated their recognition that African Cemetery No. 2 has played, and will play, a role in celebrating the historical contributions of African Americans to society. It is a place that can serve as a focal point where history, education, and recreation give needful service to a Lexington neighborhood.
We encourage anyone with an interest in Lexington’s history to visit our website (www.africancemeteryno2.org), download our brochures, and visit African Cemetery No. 2 for a self-guided walking tour. In addition to Civil War veterans, African Cemetery No. 2 documents an incredibly rich history of African Americans in the thoroughbred racing industry, and African American women who founded and ran Lexington’s Colored Orphan Home. Then consider working with us to further improve the preservation, documentation, accessibility, and relevance of this site for future generations. We would love your help.
Mark Coyne, PhD is a UK professor and the chair of African Cemetery No. 2, Inc.’s board of directors.
This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 9:50 AM.