Contrabands And Freedmen Cemetery Memorial Devoted As New Website To African-American Civil Rights Community

July 2, 2021 at 2:10 pm

Contraband and freedmen cemetery
Dedicated to the memorial as a new location for the African American civil rights network

Press release, July 1, 2021

In June
28, Alexandria’s Smugglers and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial became one of the
newest sites listed by the National Park Service in the African American Civil
Right network. The network’s collection of 57 powerful historical resources
commemorates, honors and interprets civil rights across the country
Movement in the United States and the Continuing Struggle for Racial Equality.
Contraband and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial is the oldest and first site in
Virginia is to be added to the network.

Within
the fence line of the smugglers and freedmen cemetery memorial, erected in
2014, echo themes of African American civil rights: self-emancipation, straightening up
Racial injustice and civil protest. The Alexandria monument preserves more
than 600 known graves and commemorates 1,711 Afro-Americans buried there
during the 1860s. Genealogical work linked the book of records of the cemetery
(List of the names of those buried in the cemetery) with more than 1,000
Descendants both within the Alexandria community and in the United States.
In 1864 the US Army built this burial place for contraband and
Freed, making it one of the few final resting places of its kind in the
Country. Shortly thereafter, the cemetery became the site of Alexandria’s first
well-known expression of civil rights. After the funeral of 118 United States
Colored Troops (USCT) in Contraband and Released Cemetery, outraged USCT
protested and asked for the right of their comrades to be buried in what
is now the National Cemetery of Alexandria. As a result of their actions
Soldiers were buried in the Alexandria National Cemetery. “That’s an amazing one
important honor for the cemetery to be recognized in the continuum of struggle
for racial justice in Alexandria and across the country, “commented the director of the
Alexandria’s Black History Museum, Audrey Davis.

The
The nomination of the location was initiated and developed by Alexandria developed
Archaeological Commission with the support of Alexandria City Council
and the Department of Historic Alexandria. Eleanor Breen, Urban Archaeologist, said:
“So many people have and continue to contribute to history and memory
the site – Archaeological Commission of Alexandria, residents, descendants,
the Friends of Freedmen’s Cemetery, historians and archaeologists and more –
and this honor would not be possible without your commitment. “contraband and
Freedmen Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia
Landmarks Register and is listed on the National Underground Railroad Network
to freedom. Commission Chair Ivy Whitlatch said: “We are very pleased to
network the cemetery memorial with these nationwide
significant sites for civil rights. “A public dedication will be made on
in the cemetery at 1001 S. Washington Street, July 24th at 8:00 am
Details will be posted on historic Alexandria
Calendar.

For more
Information on the African American Civil Rights Network can be found at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/civilrights/african-american-civil-rights-network.htm.
To learn more about the history of the smugglers and freedmen cemetery
Memorial, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/FreedmenMemorial.

appointment
Developed by the City Council the 15-member Archaeological Commission of Alexandria
Goals and priorities for Alexandria’s archaeological heritage. The Commission
works closely with citizens, government agencies, developers and teachers to
Promotion of archeology in the city.

The
Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the past to the
present and inspire the future. More information about the office of
Historic Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.