Juneteenth celebration flyer.
The site of the 15th Juneteenth Jubilee – African Cemetery No. 2 – is a fitting place to remember the true end to slavery in this country, to honor African American veterans, and the people who have worked so hard to save and preserve the historic cemetery.
The cemetery has been located at 419 E. 7th Street since 1869. That same year, the Union Benevolent Society No. 2 formed “to take care of the sick, bury the dead and perform other deeds of charity.” The Society purchased four acres in November 1869 and another four aces in 1875. Over 6,000 men, women, and children are interred in the cemetery, and 100 have been identified as U.S. Colored Troops of the Civil War.
African Cemetery No. 2 from Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_Cemetery_No._2,_Lexington_Kentucky.jpg
Historian Yvonne Giles has led to preserve the history and integrity of African American cemeteries in Lexington. Giles’ ability to bring to life the stories of men and women long gone from this world is inspiring – especially since their voices were ignored and forgotten for so many years. In 2009, she completed the book Stilled Voices Yet Speak: A History of African American Cemeteries in Lexington and Fayette County, Kentucky.
Screenshot from the documentary Eight Acres of History: Lexington’s African Cemetery No.2.
You can learn more about African Cemetery No. 2 in a film produced by the Lexington Public Library Cable Channel 20, Eight Acres of History: Lexington’s African Cemetery No.2, which airs on Kentucky Educational Television.
But the best history lesson is to visit African Cemetery No. 2 – you can do that this evening, and experience this important place in Lexington history, and hear some of the stories of the veterans who fought for a country that wouldn’t even acknowledge them.
