RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Three historic black cemeteries are on track to be owned by the city of Richmond.
The Richmond City Council approved an ordinance at its Feb. 26 meeting that will allow the City to acquire the historic East End, Evergreen and Forest View cemeteries.
Friends of East End, a local nonprofit organization, works closely with restoration efforts of the Historic East End Cemetery. The group has expressed excitement about the news.
“We have been working with the City of Richmond for years,” said Friends of East End member Brian Palmer. “And we’re now working much more closely together. The city is communicating in ways it never has. We are excited and relieved that this step is being taken.”
The cemeteries are historic African American cemeteries that were previously the property of local nonprofit Enrichmond Foundation and its affiliate, Parity LLC, which dissolved in June of 2022.
This acquisition comes after controversy arose when about $200,000 seemingly vanished during the nonprofit’s dissolution, which impacted volunteers and left more than 80 partner organizations searching for answers and funding.
A city spokesperson said the acquisition of the cemeteries is still in its early stages, so the City has not detailed any official plans yet. The full statement reads as follows:
“The City of Richmond is taking steps to acquire Evergreen, East End and Forest View as a part of its ongoing commitment to reconnect historically separated communities. In line with the Mayor’s vision of creating an inclusive landscape, the city has initiated several projects that aim to provide access to all the residents. For instance, the Strategic Plan for Equitable Economic Development (SPEED) emphasizes community, innovation, and industry. Additionally, the Human Services and Planning and Development Departments have been working tirelessly on genealogy and census projects aimed at reconnecting families that were torn apart by infrastructure or slavery.
The city of Richmond is committed to reconnecting, rebuilding, and honoring the past, whether it’s through our cemeteries or more ambitious projects such as the Shockoe Project, which was showcased last evening. Richmond acknowledges that it cannot rewrite history, but through its efforts and those of its partners, it can help tell a more comprehensive story for those whose history has yet to be fully shared.”
City of Richmond spokesperson.
Palmer hopes Friends of the East End and the city will be able to continue working together to help restore the area.
“These are sites of public memory,” Palmer said. “They’re important to African Americans, but they’re important to all Richmonders. And I think reclaiming them will bring tremendous energy into the city.”
