Lebanon Cemetery (York, PA)
Site Brief:
Founded: 1872
Location: York, PA
Additional name(s): None
Affiliate group(s):
Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds
History:
Founded in 1872, Historic Lebanon Cemetery in York, PA was established when the African American citizens in the area came together to purchase almost 2 acres of land to bury their families with dignity and respect. Segregated burial practices existed at the time (and continued through the 1960s), leaving the only other option for burial the “Potter’s Field”, which was overcrowded and preyed upon by grave robbers. The original 2 acres eventually grew to 5 acres over years. The cemetery reflects the diverse historical development of York; former enslaved have been laid to rest among freedmen and women and the Civil War soldiers who fought for their freedom, and men and women transcend the social barriers of life to coexist in death. Lebanon Cemetery may be York County’s largest and oldest Black-owned cemetery.
In April of 2019, a small group of dedicated volunteers came together at Lebanon Cemetery in North York Borough to help with upkeep. In the process, a very rich history of York County's African-American community was uncovered - literally. There was a sense of urgency surrounding the reclamation and preservation of this Hallowed Ground. In December of 2020, Friends of Lebanon Cemetery was created. Through volunteer efforts, we work to uncover the rich history of York County's African-American burial grounds by researching, identifying and documenting the people interred in these cemeteries, linking familial ties, preserving and restoring not just their locations but their stories. These places matter and merit our respect and protection because they represent a collective history and offer a way to preserve voices of those who were often left out of our historical narrative. Telling their stories through the preservation of their last resting places is vital to providing an authentic narrative of American history.
