Rye African-American Cemetery

The Rye African-American Cemetery, also known as African Cemetery, is a historic cemetery on North Street in Rye, New York. It is located next to the southwest portion of Greenwood Union Cemetery, and was established as a burying ground for local African-Americans in 1860 through a donation of land by the Underhill family with the intent that it “shall forever hereafter kept, held and used for the purpose of a cemetery or burial place for the colored inhabitants of the said Town of Rye, and its vicinity free and clear of any charge". [2] At least 35 of the individuals buried there are American veterans. The last documented burial in the cemetery was in 1964.

African Cemetery
Bell family plot
LocationNorth St., Rye, New York
Coordinates40°58′34″N 73°42′12″W
Area1.4 acres (0.57 ha)
Built1860
NRHP reference No.03000999[1]
Added to NRHPOctober 03, 2003

The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.[3] In 2004, it was added to the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County, a group of 13 sites which include Stony Hill Cemetery, Villa Lewaro and the Jay Estate. [4]

The cemetery is cared for and being restored by the non-profit Friends of the Rye African American Cemetery [5] together with descendants of those buried there and the local NAACP chapter. The Friends have led the preservation effort since 2010 [6]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "African American Cemetery". Town of Rye. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  3. Town of Rye - African Cemetery Archived 2014-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "African American Heritage Trail brochure" (PDF). Westchester County. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. "Friends of the Rye African American Cemetery Facebook page". Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  6. "African-American Cemetery In Rye To Hold Memorial Day Ceremony". Black Westchester. Retrieved August 19, 2019.


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