Woodlawn Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: 1946
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Additional name(s): Woodlawn Memorial Park
Affiliate group(s): N/A
History:
In 1946, Pastor Garther Roberson Senior purchased a plot of land in Ypsilanti to provide a resting place for Black community members when there were few options due to discrimination and racism. Woodlawn Cemetery, the only documented Black cemetery in the County, has since fallen into disrepair. Initial research indicates that Woodlawn Cemetery has served as the final resting place for over 150 African Americans whose lives were central to the development and history of Ypsilanti and broader Washtenaw County. This Restoration Project includes the necessary steps to preserve and protect the historic cemetery for future generations while maintaining its historical integrity.
BCN Contact Information:
Dr. Debby Covington