UNITED COLORED AMERICAN CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1883

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S):

• The Union Foundation

HISTORY:

United Colored American Cemetery was founded by the United Colored American Association. It is one of the oldest and most important African American Cemeteries in Ohio. The cemetery incorporated graves that had been previously located in Avondale which had been established in 1848. Many citizens of Avondale were unhappy about having a "Negro cemetery in their mist. In 1870's Avondale petitioned the Ohio Legislature and got a bill passed giving the local Board of Health power to declare the cemetery a public nuisance and had it closed. Abolitionist Martin Delany was at the original dedication and writes, "This is a most praiseworthy undertaking on the part of the colored citizens; and how shameful the necessity of a separate burial-place for the dead!" The cemetery became increasely neglected over the years. Council Charles P. Taft, Trustee of Spring Grove Cemetery was appointed to operate the cemetery. In 1968 he transferred the cemetery to Union Baptist Church.

United Colored American Cemetery is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At least 45 African American veterans from the Civil War are buried here. Other prominent citizens buried here are abolition John Isom Gains (1821-1859). The United American Cemetery is in disrepair and restoration is urgently needed. Invasive plant species have overtaken large areas of the cemetery. Erosion and vandalism also have contributed to condition concerns. Headstones and monuments have tilted and fallen over. Improvements are needed to the roadway and the burial vault. In the last 5+ years large runoff of water and waste materials have been found. This had caused enormous additional deterioration. United Colored Cemetery was closed by the health department unsafe for families to visit their loved ones. We are actively looking for the cause and financial resources to restore this sacred burial ground.

BCN Contact Information:

Louise Stevenson

lstevenson@fuse.net

TheUnionFoundation.org

UNION BAPTIST CEMETERY

FOUNDED: 1864

ADDITONAL NAMES: N/A

AFFILIATION(S):

• The Union Foundation

HISTORY:

Union Baptist Cemetery is the oldest African American burial ground in Hamilton County at its original location, purchased, maintained, and still used by Union Baptist Church, the second oldest black congregation in Cincinnati. Union Baptist Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic places in America. This cemetery is the resting place of Underground Railroad conductors, artists, writers, musicians, physicians, business leaders, politicians, Civil Right workers, and many veterans, including approximately 150 veterans of the Civil War. Union Baptist Cemetery one of two historical cemeteries owned by Union Baptist Church.

BCN Contact Information:

Louise Stevenson

lstevenson@fuse.net

TheUnionFoundation.org