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Welcome!

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The African-American Historic Cemeteries of Portsmouth Virginia friends group was officially established in October, 2010.  We partnered with the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation in May, 2011.  Our main priority is to help provide for the restoration and preservation of the City of Portsmouth's  traditionally African-American cemeteries.  We also seek to raise awareness of the notable accomplishments of the many historic figures buried in these cemeteries.  (See an an article in the Virginian-Pilot about our efforts here).  Many buildings and monuments erected in Portsmouth serving as a record of the early black experience and also honoring the names of historic African-American leaders have been removed and/or torn down.  As a consequence, the burial sites in these cemeteries remain some of the last vestiges of their existence, accomplishments, and contribution to the social and historical fabric of Portsmouth, Virginia.

For more information, you may contact Nadia K. Orton at aahcpva@gmail.com or hamptonroadsgenealogy@gmail.com



Note:  February 28, 2012 - See this important link about copyright infringement related to the use of the photos on this website.


Spotlight:  "Black history dies in neglected Southern cemeteries."  Larry Copeland, USA Today.  February 1, 2013.

Spotlight:  "Mount Calvary Cemetery:  a battle with time and neglect".  Cherise M. Newsome, The Virginian-Pilot.  February 1, 2012.

Spotlight:  "Survey Precedes New Plan For Crumbling Cemeteries."  Lia Russell, The Virginian-Pilot.  October 10, 2010.

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Lincoln Memorial Cemetery (1913)
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