Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc.

Historic Greenwood Cemetery was organized in 1874 to serve the needs of the growing Black population of post-civil war St. Louis and St. Louis County. It was the first commercial non-sectarian cemetery for African Americans in the St Louis metropolitan area.

The past few months have been tough on Greenwood and those who work so hard to maintain it. Within a few short weeks, the cemetery has suffered from catastrophic flooding, vandalization, and desecration of its hallowed grounds.

Historically heavy rainfall and flooding hit the St. Louis area in July, destroying Greenwood's roads. The flooding left ruts as deep as two feet on the only road running through the cemetery, and made other roads completely inaccessible.

KSDK News Story - https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/historic-saint-louis-cemetery-flood-damage/63-daf68518-9f95-454b-b26e-0621d8a9f16c

KMOV News Story: https://www.kmov.com/2022/09/20/historic-cemetery-damaged-following-flooding/

Still recovering from flood damage, Greenwood Cemetery recently became the victim of vandalism, arson, and property destruction. Vandals damaged and burned wooden benches in the cemetery and a pergola located in the heart of the cemetery. The pergola was a beloved meeting spot where volunteers and community members gathered to plan a day's work in the cemetery, hold group prayers and affirmations, and rest after a long day's work. Greenwood's beautiful benches and pergola are now seriously, if not irreparably, damaged.

Sadly, the destruction and disrespect to Historic Greenwood Cemetery's hallowed grounds did not stop there. Dozens of headstones were knocked over during this same time frame. Monuments that stood proudly for decades despite the ravages of time and neglect of the cemetery's previous owners now lay face down on the ground. It will take a great deal of expense, time, and care to safely and properly raise and repair the fallen stones.

KSDK News Story: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/historic-greenwood-cemetery-vandalized-damaged-by-flooding-after-being-in-north-st-louis-county-for-about-150-years/63-22990947-8df5-4ad6-b9f1-74ae7f4aa2a1

Your monetary donation will help Historic Greenwood Cemetery repair its flood-damaged roads, repair or replace the burned benches and pergola, and raise and repair the vandalized headstones. Donations will also go towards improving the security and surveillance of Greenwood's 32-acre grounds.