The African American cemeteries of Petersburg, Virginia : continuity and change

Abstract

This study begins to explore Petersburg's African American graveyards and cemeteries, focusing on four still extant today: People's, Blandford, Little Church, and East View which includes Wilkerson Memorial. Excluded from consideration are the several graveyards which have been lost to development activities. The historic research not only focused on Issues of ownership and the evolution of the property, but also on the role that African American lodges, societies, and organizations (both secret and fraternal) played m ensunng the proper bunal of Petersburg's Afncan Amencan community.