Descendants Fight to Save Historic Black Cemeteries in D.C.

Advocates work to preserve Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries, overlooked sites that hold the graves of thousands of enslaved and free African Americans.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:35pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph depicting the overgrown, decaying headstones and gravestones of a historic Black cemetery, with a sense of melancholy and the passage of time conveyed through the soft, hazy light and muted color palette.Descendants and advocates work to preserve the historic Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries, resting places for thousands of enslaved and free African Americans in Washington, D.C.Potomac Today

For more than six decades, descendants and supporters have fought to preserve Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries in what was once known as Black Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The cemeteries, which served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, hold the graves of at least 10,000 enslaved and free African Americans. The Black Georgetown Foundation, which oversees the sites, is now launching a campaign to educate the public about the often overlooked properties and their historical significance.

Why it matters

The fight to save these historic Black cemeteries highlights the ongoing struggle to preserve and honor the history and legacy of African Americans in the face of gentrification and efforts to erase or downplay difficult chapters of the nation's past. The cemeteries serve as an important reminder of the contributions and sacrifices of enslaved and free Black people who helped build Washington, D.C.

The details

The two adjoining cemeteries, Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society, sit on three acres in the Herring Hill neighborhood of D.C. and hold the graves of at least 10,000 enslaved and free African Americans. The sites served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, with a brick vault used to temporarily store bodies when the ground was too cold or wet for burial. The cemeteries have faced numerous threats over the decades, including efforts by developers to build on the land and the U.S. government's use of eminent domain to take half an acre for a trail in the 1930s. The Black Georgetown Foundation, which oversees the properties, has worked to stave off developers, stop excavation, and secure funding for a $1.6 million project to address stormwater runoff and erosion.

  • The cemeteries were established in 1808 and 1842, respectively.
  • In 1950, Mary Logan Jennings, a Female Union Band Society president, was the last person to be officially buried at the site before the city condemned the property for disrepair and prohibited additional burials.
  • In the 1960s, preservationists fought off developers who wanted to build housing on the site.
  • In 1975, the National Register for Historic Places placed the property on its list.
  • Nearly 40 years later, in 2014, the DC Preservation League recognized the site as one of the most endangered historic places in the area.

The players

Neville Waters III

A descendant with at least four of his ancestors buried at the site, and the board president of the Black Georgetown Foundation.

Lisa Fager

The executive director of the Black Georgetown Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees and works to preserve the cemeteries.

Vernon Ricks

An 87-year-old board member of the Black Georgetown Foundation and a lifelong member of Mount Zion United Methodist Church, who was born in a one-bedroom apartment in Georgetown.

Vincent deForest

The 90-year-old president emeritus of the Black Georgetown Foundation's board, who has been involved in working to preserve the cemeteries since 1970.

Rev. Joseph Cartwright

One of the first Black ordained Methodist ministers in the region who bought the freedom of his wife and children, and is buried at the cemeteries.

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What they’re saying

“My blood was a part of this history that's here.”

— Neville Waters III, Board President, Black Georgetown Foundation

“To think there are attempts to erase, ignore or lie about this country's history of Black people and slavery is disheartening. It's history. Yes, slavery was a horrible institution, but it should not deter us from talking — and learning — about it. And that's a part of the history of this cemetery. We should tell these stories, not hide them.”

— Neville Waters III, Board President, Black Georgetown Foundation

“We have to not only save the cemeteries, but also educate and spread the word that they're here and an important part of the D.C. fabric and history.”

— Lisa Fager, Executive Director, Black Georgetown Foundation

“Too often, Black cemeteries like this one are unfortunately deliberately neglected. We're not taught of them in schools. It's really important to change that and tell the stories of those who lived there and what they did for this city.”

— Lisa Fager, Executive Director, Black Georgetown Foundation

“This is not just a cemetery, but a place that's a truth teller of Black Washington. It tells a story and it honors the dead.”

— Lisa Fager, Executive Director, Black Georgetown Foundation

What’s next

The Black Georgetown Foundation plans to continue its campaign to educate the public about the historic cemeteries, including hosting more tours, seminars, and volunteer cleanup events. The group is also working to secure additional funding for preservation efforts, including the $1.6 million project to address stormwater runoff and erosion.

The takeaway

The fight to save these historic Black cemeteries in Washington, D.C. is a powerful example of the ongoing struggle to preserve and honor the often-overlooked history and legacy of African Americans. By educating the public and continuing their preservation efforts, the descendants and advocates are ensuring these sacred burial grounds remain an important part of the city's fabric and history.