Archaeological Consulting Survey
Tax deductible
The discovery of the Iron Coffin Lady in 2011 excited and spurred interest in finding this old African American burial ground and former church site in Elmhurst, Queens. Currently our non profit organization Elmhurst History & Cemeteries Preservation Society seeks to preserve and recognize this site.
Our current initiative is to make known the importance of preserving the St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church's cemetery in Elmhurst, Queens. Currently the site is owned by a developer who would like to develop the site in the near future. Our goal is to give this site the recognition it deserves by making it a NYC Landmark and to be placed under the National Register of Historic Places. The African American cemetery had approx. 310 burials in total. Some burials have been removed but we are actively pursuing to preserve the current remains at the site. We also seek to document the correct narrative and timeline from the African congregation and community in Newtown. We have hired a professional archaeological consulting company conduct research to help us with our goal of preserving the site. We are asking for donations to help fund this goal and to help pay for the archaeological consultants fee.
The African American community in Newtown (now Elmhurst) had almost been forgotten. The African American community traces back to the late 1600's with slavery taking place in Newtown. There are many important facts and information pertaining to the African American community's presence in Elmhurst that needs to re-discovered for historical and educational purposes.
Here are some short important facts: In 1828 a parcel of land was donated to former slaves who were members of the United African Society (later known as St. Mark's AME Church) one year after slavery was abolished in New York State. The first African American church, parsonage, school and cemetery was set up at this site. Elmhurst had a free African American community living, working and worshiping in this area of Newtown. Many important events happened here such as Rev. James W. C. Pennington living and teaching in Newtown. As well as in 1914 Booker T. Washington came to speak in Elmhurst to help raise funds for the St. Mark's AME church to pay off the debt of their newly built church (to replace the older one).
In 1928 the City of New York through eminent domain widened Corona Avenue cutting into church property forcing the church to move elsewhere. Starting from 1896 with the development of Elmhurst by the Cord Meyer Development firm Elmhurst was transformed into a upper middle class suburb. This development boom in Elmhurst started to drive out the African American community because of affordability, many moved to nearby Corona and Winfield. Around 1930 St. Mark's AME's congregation moved to Corona and in around 1931 their cemetery had gotten de-mapped. Much of the history of the site has been forgotten in time and threatened by development. The developers have already built on the site of Corona Ave and 90th Street for residential and commercial use and they now want to build on the extensive inner property, shown in the picture above. Time is of the essence as they exerting pressure.
There is much to be taught, learned and discovered from the site of the St. Mark's AME cemetery in Elmhurst. We must preserve this site or we will be at risk of losing a significant part of our early shared history with the African American community here in Elmhurst.
Our current initiative is to make known the importance of preserving the St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church's cemetery in Elmhurst, Queens. Currently the site is owned by a developer who would like to develop the site in the near future. Our goal is to give this site the recognition it deserves by making it a NYC Landmark and to be placed under the National Register of Historic Places. The African American cemetery had approx. 310 burials in total. Some burials have been removed but we are actively pursuing to preserve the current remains at the site. We also seek to document the correct narrative and timeline from the African congregation and community in Newtown. We have hired a professional archaeological consulting company conduct research to help us with our goal of preserving the site. We are asking for donations to help fund this goal and to help pay for the archaeological consultants fee.
The African American community in Newtown (now Elmhurst) had almost been forgotten. The African American community traces back to the late 1600's with slavery taking place in Newtown. There are many important facts and information pertaining to the African American community's presence in Elmhurst that needs to re-discovered for historical and educational purposes.
Here are some short important facts: In 1828 a parcel of land was donated to former slaves who were members of the United African Society (later known as St. Mark's AME Church) one year after slavery was abolished in New York State. The first African American church, parsonage, school and cemetery was set up at this site. Elmhurst had a free African American community living, working and worshiping in this area of Newtown. Many important events happened here such as Rev. James W. C. Pennington living and teaching in Newtown. As well as in 1914 Booker T. Washington came to speak in Elmhurst to help raise funds for the St. Mark's AME church to pay off the debt of their newly built church (to replace the older one).
In 1928 the City of New York through eminent domain widened Corona Avenue cutting into church property forcing the church to move elsewhere. Starting from 1896 with the development of Elmhurst by the Cord Meyer Development firm Elmhurst was transformed into a upper middle class suburb. This development boom in Elmhurst started to drive out the African American community because of affordability, many moved to nearby Corona and Winfield. Around 1930 St. Mark's AME's congregation moved to Corona and in around 1931 their cemetery had gotten de-mapped. Much of the history of the site has been forgotten in time and threatened by development. The developers have already built on the site of Corona Ave and 90th Street for residential and commercial use and they now want to build on the extensive inner property, shown in the picture above. Time is of the essence as they exerting pressure.
There is much to be taught, learned and discovered from the site of the St. Mark's AME cemetery in Elmhurst. We must preserve this site or we will be at risk of losing a significant part of our early shared history with the African American community here in Elmhurst.
Organizer
Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society
Organizer
Elmhurst, NY
Elmhurst History and Cemeteries Preservation Society
Beneficiary