The African American Cemetery Project

The African American Cemetery project-based at the Mt. Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemetery and working with the Black Georgetown Foundation is an ongoing commemoration and educational opportunity for the students at McKinley Technology High School and the Metropolitan community of Washington to explore the rich history of the diaspora of the interred. The Mt. Zion Cemetery established in 1808 and Female Union Band Society Cemetery in 1842 are the oldest African American intact burial grounds in Washington DC. Three years ago, the history department here at McKinley began working with the Mt. Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemetery. The goal was twofold, to introduce students to the rich historical significance of the first burial grounds dedicated to the interment of both enslaved and freemen and, to provide needed maintenance at the site which had long been neglected. The first year approximately forty (40) students accompanied the history teachers to the site where weeding, removal of debris, and general physical maintenance was provided. Since then, McKinley has returned, working on beautification, cataloging, and creating data bases and continuing working on improvement projects, adding benches, creating art installations, and written and oral histories of its inhabitants. The grant we are applying for will allow McKinley and the Foundation to continue its ongoing commitment to education and outreach. This year the goal is to take the entire eleventh grade cohort (180 students) to the cemetery to work on continuing projects. The grant will allow the school to provide transportation, project supplies, lunch, and sundry ancillary needs that without financial support will not be possible. The project began in October 2024 and is ongoing, with the physical collaboration between McKinley and the Foundation scheduled for May 23, 2025, at the site. This year, teachers are undertaking the following activities at the cemetery with their students: Henson: (Art)-mural or a public art installation at the site Lacavone: (Graphic Design) poster project Wallace: (English) - Written and oral histories of the interred with a focus on multiculturalism Holm/Aroyuwen: ((Computer Science STEM) Database entry and digital record keeping Barker: (Biotech STEM) – Ph and soil testing a requirement (this is an activity our school must participate in for the STEM fair) Environmental science - Restoration ecology project Morden/Tansey: (Math) – Creating a model that portrays the racial demographic changes in Georgetown over time since the creation of the cemetery. Butler (History): Assistance in researching the stories of the interred.