The Madison County African American Historical Association (MCAAHA) has announced that the organization has been awarded a $3,500 grant from Virginia Humanities. The grant will be used to help support the preservation of a cemetery for the enslaved in the Graves Mill area of the county, to include community outreach and the placement of an interpretive marker at the burial site.
The cemetery is located on farm property owned by Kemp and Tommy Hill, who have maintained the site and partnered with MCAAHA to create a plan for its preservation and memorialization. MCAAHA and the Hills are also planning a series of memorial events at the cemetery, including recognition of more than 50 enslaved individuals known to have lived and labored in Graves Mill.
The marker will read in part: “This ground is a testament to the labor of the enslaved who helped build this community, to resilience that defied oppression, and to the enduring presence of those who refused to be erased. Preserving this burial site is an act of truth-telling—acknowledging what was hidden, honoring those who rest here, and making sure their stories continue…May this ground speak to truth, healing, and justice where silence once prevailed.”
Founded in 1974, Virginia Humanities is one of more than 50 councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans as a core component of public life. Through numerous dedicated public and private partnerships, Virginia Humanities has become one of the largest and most diversely funded of the state councils, reaching tens of millions of people through a wide range of programs.
The mission of the Madison County African American Historical Association is to honor and preserve the rich history and stories of African Americans in Madison County, Virginia, and promote opportunities for all to appreciate African Americans’ vital role throughout history. The MCAAHA is located in the former Oddfellows Lodge at 700 S. Main Street in Madison. The lodge hall museum is open by appointment. More information is available by visiting mcaaha.org or calling 540-513-8718.