Starkville Colored Cemetery

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Site Brief:

Founded: unknown

Location: Starkville, MS

Additional name(s): Brush Arbor

Affiliate group(s): N/A

 

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History:

The Brush Arbor, or Starkville Colored Cemetery, is an over 200-year-old, historically Black cemetery stationed central to residential life in Starkville Mississippi. It is among the oldest cemeteries in Starkville and has likely existed as a public graveyard since Starkville’s founding. Many notable names reside within the cemetery such as one of Oktibbeha county’s legislators, Ben Chiles, a World War II vet, and other African Americans instrumental in the development of Starkville. Despite being here since Starkville’s conception, the Brush Arbor/Starkville Colored Cemetery remains widely unrecognized.

Dr. Jordan Lynton-Cox of Mississippi State University is head of the Brush Arbor/Starkville Colored Cemetery Community-Engaged Field Program, a three-year project dedicated to historic preservation and restoration of the cemetery through decolonial methods. For information, email brusharbor@anthro.msstate.edu.

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Resource links:

• https://www.instagram.com/brusharborproject/

• https://much-ado.net/legislators/legislators/benjamin-chiles/#:~:text=Ben's%20younger%20brother%2C%20George%20Washington,slave%20narrative%20in%20George%20P.

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BCN Contact Information:

Dr. Jordan Lynton-Cox

jlynton@anthro.msstate.edu