A FREE LECTURE BY KELLEE GREEN BLAKE
RETIRED DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ARCHIVES - MID ATLANTIC REGION
Wednesday, July 19, at 7:00 PM
The Pennington School, 112 W. Delaware Avenue
Pennington, NJ 08534
The Pennington African Cemetery is one of the oldest historical landmarks in the area. It is the resting place of people born before the Civil War up until the Civil Rights era. It was purchased by people of African descent as a place to bury their family, during a time when racial segregation in all aspects of life was legal. This peaceful one acre parcel is the resting place of civil war veterans, teachers, laborers and other important people who laid the foundation for the Pennington area.
Today the cemetery also serves as an important cultural resource. Educators, researchers and neighbors all use the cemetery as a source of instruction, and a place for reflection. No fewer than 9 veterans of the Civil War are buried here. A record of their contribution as part of the United States Colored Troops is preserved on their headstones. A monument given by the town of Pennington in recognition of a faithful civil servant is also found here, as well as many important examples of 19th century burial customs.
The cemetery is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers through the Pennington African Cemetery Association. The preservation of this national treasure is our mission. We welcome anyone with similar interests to join us.
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