Collaboration powers Locust Hill Cemetery project
Collaboration defines as the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
Mind you, not all collaborations end positively.
In the case of Locust Hill Cemetery, collaboration appears destined to deliver a special result as several organizations unify for restoration of an African American burial ground.
COVID-19 stalled the project but as pandemic issues subside, project organizers and supporters prepare for a restart.
Garbage and brush removal, pruning and mowing is all needed to begin to recreate a clean, safe natural area within this inner-city neighborhood on Hart Ave.
Volunteers are needed for the first of several work days to accomplish these tasks. An initial cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 17 beginning at 9 a.m.
Mike McCormick, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Trenton, said his organization is proud to partner with numerous groups to advance and complete the restoration project.
“It’s a roll up your sleeves project that involves many community members. This will be great for the neighborhood and the City of Trenton,” McCormick said.
Algernon Ward, project director and member of The 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops Reenactors, said the Locust Hill Community share a common mission to restore the Locust Hill Cemetery to pay the proper respect to the ancestors interred there.
Plus, he underscored that City of Trenton development plans coincide perfectly with this mission, as drawing board plans identify the cemetery as a focal point for improvement of the entire Locust Hill neighborhood.
The Locust Hill Project is conceived for multiple uses. The Interpretive Center concept includes a African-American History mini-museum, open to the public, to interpret Trenton’s African-American history and the Headquarters of the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops Reenactors for offices, meetings, and display of historical artifacts. Upon the recommendation from the City of Trenton, in accordance with its Assumpink Greenway plan, the vacant house at 73 Hart Avenue was selected for this use.
“We are excited about how our community has come together to pay homage to our ancestors buried at Locust Hill. We see this project that will restore the cemetery and open a museum as the “linch-pin” in the development of the entire Locust Hill neighborhood and a valuable part of the area-wide Assunpink Greenway Project,” Ward said via email.
The Kiwanis Club involvement continues the organization’s mission to improve the lives of children in the city of Trenton and beyond through service projects.
Kiwanis Club has collaborated with Lawrenceville Boy Scout Troop 28 for several community projects, including maintenance of Trenton’s Battle Monument Park.
Troop 28 will join forces with Trenton Troop 431 for the Locust Hill Cemetery cleanup. Involvement in community service efforts builds character as youth understand their power to change the world.
Locust Hill Cemetery, dating from 1850, is Trenton’s largest surviving African American burial ground. The plot of land located between Hart Ave. and Oak St. serves as a final resting place for several Civil War veterans.
According to the project’s website, an August 2019 on-site meeting of Locust Hill stakeholders, representatives from the City of Trenton Brownfields Department, I.S.L.E.S., the East Trenton Collaborative, The Garvey School, 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops, The Trenton Historical Society, 1719 William Trent House, Locust Hill residents and volunteers held a meeting that
spawned collaboration.
Discussions included a Trenton Brownfields overview, site history, economic development via historic tourism, recreation, and a brainstorming session with the ETC Locust Hill Committee who resolved to create a project team to formulate a plan of action to move the Locust
Hill Project forward.
Volunteers can add their energy to this worthy project that will revitalize this Trenton community.
All supplies are provided by the City of Trenton. For more information, please call Mike McCormick at (609) 208-9991.