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“We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day”

Today, we recognize “We Shall Overcome” as the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. But this melody originated from a spiritual sung by enslaved people called, “No More Auction Block for Me.” “We Shall Overcome” grew out of slavery and was adopted in Black churches. Laborers sang the song in the early 20th century while striking for better working conditions. It then became popular with civil-rights marchers fighting for equality. Throughout its long history, “We Shall Overcome” has helped draw together people fighting for a better life.

“We Shall Overcome” reflects the courage and persistence of African Americans in confronting the effects of legalized slavery, discrimination, and racism in this country. Sometimes this prejudice and discrimination came from individuals. Other times, the prejudice was part of a larger, complex system.

Discover several Oakland residents who embody the legacy of Black struggle and achievement in Atlanta. These men and women founded schools, established places of worship, opened businesses, and created community groups. They confronted discrimination. They worked to overcome the challenges of individual and systemic racism. These men and women fought to make a better life for themselves and others, and they made Atlanta the culturally rich city it is today.

","flat_pages",[629,630,631],"id",2,"is_geo",true,"link_address","link_text","map_icon","map_overlay","map_type","satellite","media",[620],"meta_description","Discover several Oakland residents who embody the legacy of Black struggle and achievement in Atlanta. These men and women founded schools, established places of worship, opened businesses, and created community groups. They confronted discrimination. They worked to overcome the challenges of individual and systemic racism. These men and women fought to make a better life for themselves and others, and they made Atlanta the culturally rich city it is today.","mode",{"_34":263,"_74":617},"modes",[614,615,616],"open_geographies_endpoint","published","published_on","2026-09-10","read_duration","11 minutes reading","restrict_bounds","restrict_bounds_to_overlay","sanitized_description","“We shall overcomeWe shall overcomeWe shall overcome some dayOh, deep in my heartI do believeWe shall overcome some day” Today, we recognize “We Shall Overcome” as the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. But this melody originated from a spiritual sung by enslaved people called, “No More Auction Block for Me.” “We Shall Overcome” grew out of slavery and was adopted in Black churches. Laborers sang the song in the early 20th century while striking for better working conditions. It then became popular with civil-rights marchers fighting for equality. Throughout its long history, “We Shall Overcome” has helped draw together people fighting for a better life. “We Shall Overcome” reflects the courage and persistence of African Americans in confronting the effects of legalized slavery, discrimination, and racism in this country. Sometimes this prejudice and discrimination came from individuals. Other times, the prejudice was part of a larger, complex system. Discover several Oakland residents who embody the legacy of Black struggle and achievement in Atlanta. These men and women founded schools, established places of worship, opened businesses, and created community groups. They confronted discrimination. They worked to overcome the challenges of individual and systemic racism. These men and women fought to make a better life for themselves and others, and they made Atlanta the culturally rich city it is today.","splash",{"_74":611,"_132":612,"_133":613},"slug","we-shall-overcome-african-american-stories-at-oakland-cemetery","slugs",[65],"stop_count",12,"stops",[87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98],"tenant_title","Oakland Cemetery","title","We Shall Overcome: African American Stories at Oakland Cemetery","travel_duration","About 1 hour walking","theme",{"_34":85,"_74":86},"type","tour","voice_overs",[],"use_directions",15,"ksu",{"_99":591,"_100":23,"_101":-5,"_103":264,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":592,"_108":-5,"_109":593,"_111":112,"_34":264,"_113":594,"_115":595,"_40":-5,"_44":596,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":597,"_64":589,"_66":598,"_62":599,"_74":590,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":600},{"_99":568,"_100":35,"_101":569,"_103":263,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":570,"_108":-5,"_109":571,"_111":112,"_34":263,"_113":572,"_115":573,"_40":-5,"_44":574,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":575,"_64":566,"_66":576,"_62":577,"_74":567,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":578},{"_99":534,"_100":264,"_101":535,"_103":272,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":536,"_108":-5,"_109":537,"_111":112,"_34":272,"_113":538,"_115":539,"_40":-5,"_44":540,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":541,"_64":532,"_66":542,"_62":543,"_74":533,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":544},{"_99":497,"_100":263,"_101":498,"_103":379,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":499,"_108":-5,"_109":500,"_111":112,"_34":379,"_113":501,"_115":502,"_40":-5,"_44":503,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":504,"_64":495,"_66":505,"_62":506,"_74":496,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":507},{"_99":435,"_100":272,"_101":436,"_103":271,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":437,"_108":-5,"_109":438,"_111":112,"_34":271,"_113":439,"_115":440,"_40":-5,"_44":441,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":442,"_64":433,"_66":443,"_62":444,"_74":434,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":445},{"_99":378,"_100":379,"_101":380,"_103":375,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":381,"_108":-5,"_109":382,"_111":112,"_34":375,"_113":383,"_115":384,"_40":-5,"_44":385,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":386,"_64":376,"_66":387,"_62":388,"_74":377,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":389},{"_99":341,"_100":271,"_101":342,"_103":245,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":343,"_108":-5,"_109":344,"_111":112,"_34":245,"_113":345,"_115":346,"_40":-5,"_44":347,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":348,"_64":339,"_66":349,"_62":350,"_74":340,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":351},{"_99":302,"_100":303,"_101":304,"_103":140,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":305,"_108":-5,"_109":306,"_111":112,"_34":140,"_113":307,"_115":308,"_40":-5,"_44":309,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":310,"_64":300,"_66":311,"_62":312,"_74":301,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":313},{"_99":244,"_100":245,"_101":246,"_103":169,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":247,"_108":-5,"_109":248,"_111":112,"_34":169,"_113":249,"_115":250,"_40":-5,"_44":251,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":252,"_64":242,"_66":253,"_62":254,"_74":243,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":255},{"_99":218,"_100":169,"_101":219,"_103":69,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":220,"_108":-5,"_109":221,"_111":112,"_34":69,"_113":222,"_115":223,"_40":-5,"_44":224,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":225,"_64":216,"_66":226,"_62":227,"_74":217,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":228},{"_99":179,"_100":140,"_101":180,"_103":172,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":181,"_108":-5,"_109":182,"_111":112,"_34":172,"_113":183,"_115":184,"_40":-5,"_44":185,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":186,"_64":177,"_66":187,"_62":188,"_74":178,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":189},{"_99":-5,"_100":69,"_101":102,"_103":85,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":107,"_108":-5,"_109":110,"_111":112,"_34":85,"_113":114,"_115":116,"_40":-5,"_44":117,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":122,"_64":123,"_66":124,"_62":125,"_74":126,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":130},"next","position","previous",{"_34":172,"_64":177,"_74":178},"relation_id","address","248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA","article_link","

The great-grandson of enslaved men and women, Maynard Jackson became a champion of social justice and equality for everyone. Although he was born in Texas in 1938, Jackson's Atlanta roots ran deep. His maternal grandfather was John Wesley Dobbs, a Black political and civic leader who worked to achieve racial equality in Atlanta in the early 20th century. Maynard H. Jackson Sr. and Irene Dobbs Jackson moved their family to Atlanta in 1945. They took jobs at Friendship Baptist Church and Spelman College respectively. Maynard Jackson attended Morehouse College and received his law degree from North Carolina Central University.

Jackson’s entry into politics was motivated by the 1968 assassination of the Civil Rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a close friend of his family. He was unsuccessful in a bid for the U.S. Senate in 1968 but became involved in Atlanta city politics in the years following. In 1973, he defeated the incumbent mayor, Sam Massell, to become the first Black mayor of a major southern city. Mayor Jackson's election occurred less than ten years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed racial discrimination in voting.

Mayor Maynard Jackson went on to serve three terms: 1974-1982 and 1990-1994. During his terms, Mayor Jackson helped to bring the 1996 Olympic Games to Atlanta and was actively involved in the expansion of Atlanta’s airport, which was posthumously renamed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He also improved opportunities for minority-owned businesses to receive municipal contracts. Prior to Jackson’s first administration, fewer than half of 1 percent of municipal contracts went to minorities and women. It grew to 25 percent under Jackson’s leadership. Mayor Jackson also worked to renew public arts in the city and took out ads in urban newspapers across the U.S. urging African Americans to move back to the South because “black was bountiful” in Atlanta. He left office in 1994, after creating a legacy that reinforced Atlanta as the leading city of the South.

Maynard Jackson died of a heart attack in 2003 and his grave is located in Oakland’s North Public Grounds, angled towards the Atlanta skyline. Jackson's monument weighs fourteen tons and reaches nearly fifteen feet in height. His heritage is reflected in the African-sourced black granite pillar and a platform of grey Georgia granite. Four hand-carved solid bronze discs represent four important aspects of Jackson’s legacy: his mayor career, his commitment to social and economic justice, his role in bringing the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta, and his contributions to the airport.

Learn more about Maynard Jackson's monument and his efforts to bring the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta.

","direction_intro","direction_notes","Mayor Maynard Jackson is buried in the North Public Grounds. Travel west from the African American Burial Grounds. ","icon_color","#D32F2F","lat",33.74799351,"lng",-84.37456088,[138,139],"","orphaned","parking_lat","parking_lng","The great-grandson of enslaved men and women, Maynard Jackson became a champion of social justice and equality for everyone. Although he was born in Texas in 1938, Jackson's Atlanta roots ran deep. His maternal grandfather was John Wesley Dobbs, a Black political and civic leader who worked to achieve racial equality in Atlanta in the early 20th century. Maynard H. Jackson Sr. and Irene Dobbs Jackson moved their family to Atlanta in 1945. They took jobs at Friendship Baptist Church and Spelman College respectively. Maynard Jackson attended Morehouse College and received his law degree from North Carolina Central University. Jackson’s entry into politics was motivated by the 1968 assassination of the Civil Rights leader, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a close friend of his family. He was unsuccessful in a bid for the U. S. Senate in 1968 but became involved in Atlanta city politics in the years following. In 1973, he defeated the incumbent mayor, Sam Massell, to become the first Black mayor of a major southern city. Mayor Jackson's election occurred less than ten years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed racial discrimination in voting. Mayor Maynard Jackson went on to serve three terms: 1974-1982 and 1990-1994. During his terms, Mayor Jackson helped to bring the 1996 Olympic Games to Atlanta and was actively involved in the expansion of Atlanta’s airport, which was posthumously renamed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He also improved opportunities for minority-owned businesses to receive municipal contracts. Prior to Jackson’s first administration, fewer than half of 1 percent of municipal contracts went to minorities and women. It grew to 25 percent under Jackson’s leadership. Mayor Jackson also worked to renew public arts in the city and took out ads in urban newspapers across the U. S. urging African Americans to move back to the South because “black was bountiful” in Atlanta. He left office in 1994, after creating a legacy that reinforced Atlanta as the leading city of the South. Maynard Jackson died of a heart attack in 2003 and his grave is located in Oakland’s North Public Grounds, angled towards the Atlanta skyline. Jackson's monument weighs fourteen tons and reaches nearly fifteen feet in height. His heritage is reflected in the African-sourced black granite pillar and a platform of grey Georgia granite. Four hand-carved solid bronze discs represent four important aspects of Jackson’s legacy: his mayor career, his commitment to social and economic justice, his role in bringing the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta, and his contributions to the airport. Learn more about Maynard Jackson's monument and his efforts to bring the 1996 Olympics to Atlanta. 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But her father, Dr. Homer Nash, didn’t think that she had the physical stamina to get through medical school. Helen Nash was only 5’1” and weighed just 92 pounds. However, her grandfather, wealthy real estate broker Antoine Graves, told the family to “sell a house and send her” to Meharry Medical School. Helen graduated with honors and completed her medical residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, a segregated hospital in St. Louis where she later accepted a staff position.

Dr. Nash helped reduce the premature infant death rate at Homer G. Phillips through improvements in hygiene and equipment. She started her private practice in 1949 so that instead of having to wait for “Black days” – special days when White doctors would see Black patients – sick Black children could receive care from Nash at any time.

In 1949, Dr. Nash became the first African-American woman to join the attending staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She was the first Black woman to become president of the medical staff in 1977. She later joined the Washington University School of Medicine, the only woman among the first four African-American physicians hired. Since 1996, the Washington University School of Medicine has bestowed the Dr. Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award to a student who has exhibited to an unusual degree the qualities of industry, perseverance, determination, and enthusiasm.

Photo: Courtesy of Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine. ","Dr. Nash rests just outside of the Graves Mausoleum's western wall. ",33.74813989,-84.37031427,[193,194],"After Helen Elizabeth Nash graduated from Spelman College, she told her family that she wanted to become a doctor. But her father, Dr. Homer Nash, didn’t think that she had the physical stamina to get through medical school. Helen Nash was only 5’1” and weighed just 92 pounds. However, her grandfather, wealthy real estate broker Antoine Graves, told the family to “sell a house and send her” to Meharry Medical School. Helen graduated with honors and completed her medical residency at Homer G. Phillips Hospital, a segregated hospital in St. Louis where she later accepted a staff position. Dr. Nash helped reduce the premature infant death rate at Homer G. Phillips through improvements in hygiene and equipment. She started her private practice in 1949 so that instead of having to wait for “Black days” – special days when White doctors would see Black patients – sick Black children could receive care from Nash at any time. In 1949, Dr. Nash became the first African-American woman to join the attending staff at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She was the first Black woman to become president of the medical staff in 1977. She later joined the Washington University School of Medicine, the only woman among the first four African-American physicians hired. Since 1996, the Washington University School of Medicine has bestowed the Dr. Helen E. Nash Academic Achievement Award to a student who has exhibited to an unusual degree the qualities of industry, perseverance, determination, and enthusiasm. Photo: Courtesy of Bernard Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine. ",[135,192,177],{"_74":190,"_132":-5,"_133":191},[],"Dr. Nash's marker next to the Graves Mausoleum","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/xbvpqvm7s03vql3cdh77y9ofjkuf?variant=desktop","dr-helen-elizabeth-nash-edit",{"_103":208,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":209,"_147":210,"_34":211,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":209,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":190,"_158":-5},{"_103":195,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":196,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":197,"_147":198,"_34":199,"_149":-5,"_150":200,"_152":197,"_153":154,"_155":201,"_74":202,"_158":-5},23,1125,"16152260483.jpeg",{"_159":203,"_161":204,"_163":205,"_165":206,"_167":207},27,225,562,"Dr. Helen Elizabeth Nash at work","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/q7ibacz809ns3qcp4ki7aj5g9ghp","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/q7ibacz809ns3qcp4ki7aj5g9ghp?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/q7ibacz809ns3qcp4ki7aj5g9ghp?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/q7ibacz809ns3qcp4ki7aj5g9ghp?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/q7ibacz809ns3qcp4ki7aj5g9ghp?variant=lqip",22,"16152259415.jpeg",{"_159":212,"_161":213,"_163":214,"_165":191,"_167":215},26,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/xbvpqvm7s03vql3cdh77y9ofjkuf","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/xbvpqvm7s03vql3cdh77y9ofjkuf?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/xbvpqvm7s03vql3cdh77y9ofjkuf?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/xbvpqvm7s03vql3cdh77y9ofjkuf?variant=lqip","jessie-murphy-wartman","Jessie Murphy Wartman ",{"_34":172,"_64":177,"_74":178},{"_34":169,"_64":242,"_74":243},"From Atlanta’s earliest days into the modern era, the city has long been a magnet for the musically-inclined. Jessie Murphy Wartman is one of Atlanta's music makers. She earned a master’s degree in music from Atlanta University and studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. She established the School of Musical Arts on Auburn Avenue and trained many of the city’s Black musicians, music teachers, and band directors. In 1921, she started and directed the Atlanta City Orchestra. The orchestra had a vocalist, and they played light classical, spirituals, and popular music for local events. The orchestra's musical programs were broadcast live on Atlanta radio stations.

Jessie Murphy Wartman served as an organist and choir director for Big Bethel AME church. In 1927, she was appointed supervisor of music for Atlanta’s African American elementary schools and later also supervised junior and senior high students. She introduced the first elementary school bands. In 1933, she established the annual Atlanta Schools Music Festival, which featured a city-wide chorus of 1000 students. The festival remained an annual event for 25 years. She spent a total of 34 years with the Atlanta public schools and retired in 1961. ","Jessie Murphy Wartman is buried along the main road. ",33.74805099,-84.37075415,[233],"From Atlanta’s earliest days into the modern era, the city has long been a magnet for the musically-inclined. Jessie Murphy Wartman is one of Atlanta's music makers. She earned a master’s degree in music from Atlanta University and studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. She established the School of Musical Arts on Auburn Avenue and trained many of the city’s Black musicians, music teachers, and band directors. In 1921, she started and directed the Atlanta City Orchestra. The orchestra had a vocalist, and they played light classical, spirituals, and popular music for local events. The orchestra's musical programs were broadcast live on Atlanta radio stations. Jessie Murphy Wartman served as an organist and choir director for Big Bethel AME church. In 1927, she was appointed supervisor of music for Atlanta’s African American elementary schools and later also supervised junior and senior high students. She introduced the first elementary school bands. In 1933, she established the annual Atlanta Schools Music Festival, which featured a city-wide chorus of 1000 students. The festival remained an annual event for 25 years. She spent a total of 34 years with the Atlanta public schools and retired in 1961. ",[135,231,232,216],{"_74":229,"_132":-5,"_133":230},[],"Jessie Murphy Wartman and Maynard Wartman markers","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/glljqcugg3ul7lnpvreqzzbyx6xj?variant=desktop","jessie-murphy-wartman-edit","jessie-murphy-wartman-text",{"_103":234,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":235,"_147":236,"_34":237,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":235,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":229,"_158":-5},17,"16152240858.jpeg",{"_159":238,"_161":239,"_163":240,"_165":230,"_167":241},21,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/glljqcugg3ul7lnpvreqzzbyx6xj","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/glljqcugg3ul7lnpvreqzzbyx6xj?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/glljqcugg3ul7lnpvreqzzbyx6xj?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/glljqcugg3ul7lnpvreqzzbyx6xj?variant=lqip","marie-woolfolk-taylor","Marie Woolfolk Taylor ",{"_34":69,"_64":216,"_74":217},9,{"_34":140,"_64":300,"_74":301},"Marie Woolfolk Taylor believed in empowering Black girls and women. Taylor was one of nine founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the oldest Greek-letter organization established by and for African American college women. An Atlanta native, Taylor graduated magna cum laude from Howard University in 1908 after co-founding Alpha Kappa Alpha. She then attended the Schauffler Training School for Social Services in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was the only African American student. At Schauffler, she majored in religion before returning to Atlanta to accept a position as a community assistant at First Congregational Church.

Through various efforts, Marie Woolfolk Taylor focused on providing services to women and girls in the community. The Great Fire of 1917 destroyed a large portion of the city and its residences. Marie Woolfolk Taylor was one of two African Americans designated to assist the Red Cross in the disaster. In 1919, she married Alfred G. Taylor, an Atlanta physician, and they had one daughter, Alfred Marie. In 1923, Taylor helped to organize the Kappa Omega chapter of AKA in Atlanta and became its first leader, or \"Basileus.\" Her civic activities included serving on the board of directors of the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home and membership in the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP.

Photo: Courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.

Video: 2019 Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tour. LaDoris Bias-Davis performing as Marie Woolfolk Taylor. Link","Marie Woolfolk Taylor rests just east of the large Magnolia tree.",33.74836271,-84.37097141,[260,261,262],"Marie Woolfolk Taylor believed in empowering Black girls and women. Taylor was one of nine founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the oldest Greek-letter organization established by and for African American college women. An Atlanta native, Taylor graduated magna cum laude from Howard University in 1908 after co-founding Alpha Kappa Alpha. She then attended the Schauffler Training School for Social Services in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was the only African American student. At Schauffler, she majored in religion before returning to Atlanta to accept a position as a community assistant at First Congregational Church. Through various efforts, Marie Woolfolk Taylor focused on providing services to women and girls in the community. The Great Fire of 1917 destroyed a large portion of the city and its residences. Marie Woolfolk Taylor was one of two African Americans designated to assist the Red Cross in the disaster. In 1919, she married Alfred G. Taylor, an Atlanta physician, and they had one daughter, Alfred Marie. In 1923, Taylor helped to organize the Kappa Omega chapter of AKA in Atlanta and became its first leader, or \"Basileus.\" Her civic activities included serving on the board of directors of the Carrie Steele-Pitts Home and membership in the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP. Photo: Courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Video: 2019 Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tour. LaDoris Bias-Davis performing as Marie Woolfolk Taylor. Link",[135,242,258,259],{"_74":256,"_132":-5,"_133":257},[],"The Taylor family lot ","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68aocu1jryadq41w3l06yh6oj1jl?variant=desktop","marie-woolfolk-taylor-edit","marie-woolfolk-taylor-text",{"_103":284,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":293,"_147":294,"_34":295,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":293,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":256,"_158":-5},{"_103":237,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":281,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":282,"_147":283,"_34":284,"_149":-5,"_150":285,"_152":282,"_153":154,"_155":286,"_74":287,"_158":-5},{"_103":263,"_100":264,"_132":265,"_141":266,"_143":267,"_144":268,"_145":269,"_147":270,"_34":271,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":269,"_153":273,"_155":274,"_74":275,"_158":268},4,3,"1893–1960\nOakland Cemetery\nBlock 52, Lot 4\n\nThe daughter of two Atlanta University professors, Marie Antoinette Woolfolk Taylor was a life-long champion for education and the rights of Black women. She illustrated this commitment by co-founding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first sorority established by and for African American women. Taylor attended Atlanta University and later Howard University, where she developed close friendships that led to the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She served as the first secretary of the sorority. Following her graduation magna cum laude in 1908, Taylor studied at the Schauffler Training School for Social Services in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was the only African American student. She returned to Atlanta to accept a position as a social worker and teach night school. Marie Woolfolk Taylor served as a member of many civic organizations, including the NAACP, the Community Planning Council, Community Chests (now United Way), and the Carrie Steele-Pitts Foster Home.",480,"//www.youtube.com/embed/ueQdClhOhr4","ueQdClhOhr4","ueQdClhOhr4.jpg",{"_159":276,"_161":277,"_163":278,"_165":279,"_167":280},7,5,"youtube",400,"Capturing the Spirit of Oakland 2019 - Marie Woolfolk Taylor","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/j9dw37swovbxdn6z0f1re7thiyfx","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/j9dw37swovbxdn6z0f1re7thiyfx?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/j9dw37swovbxdn6z0f1re7thiyfx?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/j9dw37swovbxdn6z0f1re7thiyfx?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/j9dw37swovbxdn6z0f1re7thiyfx?variant=lqip",1000,"16152251533.jpeg",{"_159":288,"_161":289,"_163":290,"_165":291,"_167":292},25,200,500,"Marie Woolfolk Taylor","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6g0l8se1g80czkg1xumnps2cdc85","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6g0l8se1g80czkg1xumnps2cdc85?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6g0l8se1g80czkg1xumnps2cdc85?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6g0l8se1g80czkg1xumnps2cdc85?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6g0l8se1g80czkg1xumnps2cdc85?variant=lqip","16152343404.jpeg",{"_159":296,"_161":297,"_163":298,"_165":257,"_167":299},29,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68aocu1jryadq41w3l06yh6oj1jl","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68aocu1jryadq41w3l06yh6oj1jl?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68aocu1jryadq41w3l06yh6oj1jl?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68aocu1jryadq41w3l06yh6oj1jl?variant=lqip","peyton-allen","Peyton Allen",{"_34":169,"_64":242,"_74":243},8,{"_34":245,"_64":339,"_74":340},"A graduate of Atlanta University, Peyton Allen\nrose to prominence as a talented lawyer and civil rights activist. In 1900,\nAtlanta's Black community challenged the city council and their decision to\nsegregate public streetcars. Allen and other Black Atlantans purchased bicycles\nrather than ride in segregated cars. The boycott continued for 11 months.\nAlthough ultimately unsuccessful, the bicycle boycott inspired similar protests\nduring the Civil Rights Movement. In 1917, Allen co-founded the Atlanta chapter\nof the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Photo: Courtesy of the Herndon Foundation.","Peyton Allen is buried northeast from the Butler lot. ",33.74815922,-84.3709057,[318,319],"A graduate of Atlanta University, Peyton Allen\nrose to prominence as a talented lawyer and civil rights activist. In 1900,\nAtlanta's Black community challenged the city council and their decision to\nsegregate public streetcars. Allen and other Black Atlantans purchased bicycles\nrather than ride in segregated cars. The boycott continued for 11 months.\nAlthough ultimately unsuccessful, the bicycle boycott inspired similar protests\nduring the Civil Rights Movement. In 1917, Allen co-founded the Atlanta chapter\nof the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).Photo: Courtesy of the Herndon Foundation.",[135,316,317,300],{"_74":314,"_132":-5,"_133":315},[],"The Allen family lot ","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/u4pc4h4ifb6rxt3mg7mv9lxlmgyi?variant=desktop","peyton-allen-edit","peyton-allen-photo",{"_103":332,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":333,"_147":334,"_34":195,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":333,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":314,"_158":-5},{"_103":320,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":321,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":322,"_147":323,"_34":324,"_149":-5,"_150":325,"_152":322,"_153":154,"_155":326,"_74":301,"_158":-5},20,1092,"16152250155.png",{"_159":327,"_161":328,"_163":329,"_165":330,"_167":331},24,218,546,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/lezracred8m7vqjzl7glwvw2iqv4","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/lezracred8m7vqjzl7glwvw2iqv4?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/lezracred8m7vqjzl7glwvw2iqv4?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/lezracred8m7vqjzl7glwvw2iqv4?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/lezracred8m7vqjzl7glwvw2iqv4?variant=lqip",19,"16152249641.jpeg",{"_159":335,"_161":336,"_163":337,"_165":315,"_167":338},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/u4pc4h4ifb6rxt3mg7mv9lxlmgyi","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/u4pc4h4ifb6rxt3mg7mv9lxlmgyi?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/u4pc4h4ifb6rxt3mg7mv9lxlmgyi?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/u4pc4h4ifb6rxt3mg7mv9lxlmgyi?variant=lqip","dr-henry-rutherford-butler-and-selena-sloan-butler","Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and Selena Sloan Butler",{"_34":140,"_64":300,"_74":301},{"_34":375,"_64":376,"_74":377},"Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and Selena Sloan Butler were a power couple in Atlanta in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dr. Butler and Dr. Thomas Slater, an Oakland neighbor, were partners in the first Black-owned drugstore in Atlanta. Along with other physicians and healthcare practitioners, Dr. Butler co-founded a group that later became the National Medical Association. The NMA continues to represent members of the African American medical community today.

Selena Sloan Butler graduated from Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, now Spelman College, and worked as a teacher. She started looking around at preschools for her son, Henry Butler Jr., but she couldn’t find a preschool in any Black neighborhood in Atlanta. So, Selena Sloan Butler started a preschool in her own home. She later organized the first African American parent-teacher association in the nation at her son’s elementary school (Yonge Street Elementary) in 1911. In 1919, she established a statewide African American PTA and in 1926, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT). The NCCPT and the National Parent Teacher Association did not become one until 1970. Selena Sloan Butler was later named a co-founder of the National PTA.

Selena Sloan Butler was a member of the Chautauqua Circle, the Atlanta Women’s Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was appointed by President Herbert Hoover in 1934 as a member of the White House Conference of Child Health and Protection. In 1995, she was designated a Georgia Woman of Achievement.

Learn more about Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and the Prince Hall Masons here.

Butler family photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center. Photographer unknown, undated, Long-Rucker-Aiken family photographs.","The Butler lot is located along the main road. ",33.74805441,-84.37087418,[356,357],"Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and Selena Sloan Butler were a power couple in Atlanta in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dr. Butler and Dr. Thomas Slater, an Oakland neighbor, were partners in the first Black-owned drugstore in Atlanta. Along with other physicians and healthcare practitioners, Dr. Butler co-founded a group that later became the National Medical Association. The NMA continues to represent members of the African American medical community today. Selena Sloan Butler graduated from Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, now Spelman College, and worked as a teacher. She started looking around at preschools for her son, Henry Butler Jr., but she couldn’t find a preschool in any Black neighborhood in Atlanta. So, Selena Sloan Butler started a preschool in her own home. She later organized the first African American parent-teacher association in the nation at her son’s elementary school (Yonge Street Elementary) in 1911. In 1919, she established a statewide African American PTA and in 1926, the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT). The NCCPT and the National Parent Teacher Association did not become one until 1970. Selena Sloan Butler was later named a co-founder of the National PTA. Selena Sloan Butler was a member of the Chautauqua Circle, the Atlanta Women’s Club, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was appointed by President Herbert Hoover in 1934 as a member of the White House Conference of Child Health and Protection. In 1995, she was designated a Georgia Woman of Achievement. Learn more about Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and the Prince Hall Masons here. Butler family photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center. Photographer unknown, undated, Long-Rucker-Aiken family photographs.",[135,354,355,339],{"_74":352,"_132":-5,"_133":353},[],"The markers of Dr. Henry Rutherford Butler and Selena Sloan Butler","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1b7kpx30op98h251yie8zpf8yy0i?variant=desktop","dr-henry-rutherford-butler-and-selena-sloan-butler-edit","dr-henry-rutherford-butler-and-selena-sloan-butler-text",{"_103":367,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":368,"_147":369,"_34":370,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":368,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":352,"_158":-5},{"_103":358,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":359,"_147":360,"_34":208,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":359,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":361,"_158":-5},18,"16152244070.jpeg",{"_159":362,"_161":363,"_163":364,"_165":365,"_167":366},"Selena Sloan Butler, Henry Butler Jr., and Dr. Henry R. Butler","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/wa8zz3g3w7xrywm86xmbd3eo6eep","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/wa8zz3g3w7xrywm86xmbd3eo6eep?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/wa8zz3g3w7xrywm86xmbd3eo6eep?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/wa8zz3g3w7xrywm86xmbd3eo6eep?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/wa8zz3g3w7xrywm86xmbd3eo6eep?variant=lqip",28,"16152368460.jpeg",{"_159":371,"_161":372,"_163":373,"_165":353,"_167":374},32,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1b7kpx30op98h251yie8zpf8yy0i","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1b7kpx30op98h251yie8zpf8yy0i?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1b7kpx30op98h251yie8zpf8yy0i?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1b7kpx30op98h251yie8zpf8yy0i?variant=lqip",13,"thomas-askew","Thomas Askew",{"_34":245,"_64":339,"_74":340},6,{"_34":271,"_64":433,"_74":434},"Born into slavery in 1847 or 1848, Thomas Askew began taking photographs of Black life in Atlanta as early as 1870. He took photos of African Americans in their private homes, churches, schools, and businesses. His subjects included college students, baseball players, churchgoers, and members of his own family. Thomas Askew and his wife Mary had nine children: Minnie, Nellie, Jeanette, Robert, Arthur, Walter, Everett, and twins Clarence and Norman. These images documented the struggle and achievement of Black Atlantans, primarily the growing middle class, in the decades following Emancipation.

Scholar and activist W. E. Du Bois curated an exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition featuring Askew’s portraits and photographs. Askew died on July 12, 1914. His Summit Street studio and photography equipment were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1917. The tragic fire destroyed 300 acres and the homes of over 10,000 people, forever changing Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward.

Photos by Thomas Askew. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. ","Thomas Askew rests on the north side of the African American Burial Grounds (NE of the Tate lot).",33.74878232,-84.3704001,[393,394,395,396],"Born into slavery in 1847 or 1848, Thomas Askew began taking photographs of Black life in Atlanta as early as 1870. He took photos of African Americans in their private homes, churches, schools, and businesses. His subjects included college students, baseball players, churchgoers, and members of his own family. Thomas Askew and his wife Mary had nine children: Minnie, Nellie, Jeanette, Robert, Arthur, Walter, Everett, and twins Clarence and Norman. These images documented the struggle and achievement of Black Atlantans, primarily the growing middle class, in the decades following Emancipation. Scholar and activist W. E. Du Bois curated an exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition featuring Askew’s portraits and photographs. Askew died on July 12, 1914. His Summit Street studio and photography equipment were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1917. The tragic fire destroyed 300 acres and the homes of over 10,000 people, forever changing Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward. Photos by Thomas Askew. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. ",[135,392,376],{"_74":390,"_132":-5,"_133":391},[],"Thomas Askew marker","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/yp5s2x655kf6a8tpfokn661dfyh5?variant=desktop","thomas-askew-edit",{"_103":69,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":427,"_147":428,"_34":397,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":427,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":390,"_158":-5},{"_103":375,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":417,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":418,"_147":419,"_34":234,"_149":-5,"_150":409,"_152":418,"_153":154,"_155":420,"_74":421,"_158":-5},{"_103":172,"_100":264,"_132":-5,"_141":406,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":407,"_147":408,"_34":358,"_149":-5,"_150":409,"_152":407,"_153":154,"_155":410,"_74":411,"_158":-5},{"_103":397,"_100":263,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":398,"_147":399,"_34":320,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":398,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":400,"_158":-5},16,"16152237999.jpeg",{"_159":401,"_161":402,"_163":403,"_165":404,"_167":405},"Askew, Summit Avenue Ensemble, 1899","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4wk13jyc2q9y6xl573ac4muaj14p","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4wk13jyc2q9y6xl573ac4muaj14p?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4wk13jyc2q9y6xl573ac4muaj14p?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4wk13jyc2q9y6xl573ac4muaj14p?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4wk13jyc2q9y6xl573ac4muaj14p?variant=lqip",1205,"16152236273.jpeg",{"_159":412,"_161":413,"_163":414,"_165":415,"_167":416},241,602,"Askew, Nursing Student, 1899","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/p6rv8wzbimal8bog73wjlbr2ov01","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/p6rv8wzbimal8bog73wjlbr2ov01?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/p6rv8wzbimal8bog73wjlbr2ov01?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/p6rv8wzbimal8bog73wjlbr2ov01?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/p6rv8wzbimal8bog73wjlbr2ov01?variant=lqip",1207,"16152235640.jpeg",{"_159":422,"_161":423,"_163":424,"_165":425,"_167":426},604,"Askew, Self Portrait, 1899","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1sj8ndmqao2tgfsnes89j8uz6l8i","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1sj8ndmqao2tgfsnes89j8uz6l8i?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1sj8ndmqao2tgfsnes89j8uz6l8i?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1sj8ndmqao2tgfsnes89j8uz6l8i?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1sj8ndmqao2tgfsnes89j8uz6l8i?variant=lqip","16152234479.jpeg",{"_159":429,"_161":430,"_163":431,"_165":391,"_167":432},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/yp5s2x655kf6a8tpfokn661dfyh5","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/yp5s2x655kf6a8tpfokn661dfyh5?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/yp5s2x655kf6a8tpfokn661dfyh5?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/yp5s2x655kf6a8tpfokn661dfyh5?variant=lqip","bishop-wesley-john-gaines","Bishop Wesley John Gaines",{"_34":375,"_64":376,"_74":377},{"_34":379,"_64":495,"_74":496},"Bishop Wesley John Gaines (1840-1912) had a hand in the development of two prominent Black cultural sites in Atlanta. Born enslaved, Wesley John Gaines learned to read as a child. He mastered the alphabet in a week and learned to read while sick in bed by studying the Bible. He had to hide his ability and his books from his enslavers. An 1829 Georgia law prohibited the teaching of reading and writing to all African Americans, whether enslaved or free, but Gaines did it anyway. This commitment to education was a core part of his character.

After Emancipation, Gaines became ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He joined Big Bethel AME Church, a congregation that dated back to 1847. Churches were often the centers of black communities in Atlanta. Wheat Street Baptist, First Congregational, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Big Bethel A.M.E. served as places of worship but were also schools and social centers. Big Bethel served as an employment bureau for female domestic laborers after the Civil War. In 1879, the first public school for blacks in Atlanta, Gate City Colored School, was founded in the basement of the church, though it would later move to Houston Street. Later, Big Bethel was known as “Sweet Auburn’s City Hall.”

Bishop Gaines helped establish Morris Brown College in 1881. Classes were held in the basement of Big Bethel. Many Atlanta HBCUs have their origins in the church. Morehouse was sponsored by the American Baptist Home Mission Society and Spelman grew out of Friendship Baptist Church.

Morris Brown College and Big Bethel AME, along with other churches and HBCUs, led to the development of a Black middle class and upper class in Atlanta. HBCU-educated entrepreneurs, doctors, clergymen, and professionals stayed in Atlanta and built out businesses, social organizations, and churches.

Learn more about Big Bethel AME Church and watch a performance of their legendary choir here.

Photos: Courtesy of the Library of Congress. ","Bishop Wesley John Gaines is buried west of the Graves Mausoleum.",33.74818747,-84.37034646,[450,451,452,453],"Bishop Wesley John Gaines (1840-1912) had a hand in the development of two prominent Black cultural sites in Atlanta. Born enslaved, Wesley John Gaines learned to read as a child. He mastered the alphabet in a week and learned to read while sick in bed by studying the Bible. He had to hide his ability and his books from his enslavers. An 1829 Georgia law prohibited the teaching of reading and writing to all African Americans, whether enslaved or free, but Gaines did it anyway. This commitment to education was a core part of his character. After Emancipation, Gaines became ordained as a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He joined Big Bethel AME Church, a congregation that dated back to 1847. Churches were often the centers of black communities in Atlanta. Wheat Street Baptist, First Congregational, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Big Bethel A. M.E. served as places of worship but were also schools and social centers. Big Bethel served as an employment bureau for female domestic laborers after the Civil War. In 1879, the first public school for blacks in Atlanta, Gate City Colored School, was founded in the basement of the church, though it would later move to Houston Street. Later, Big Bethel was known as “Sweet Auburn’s City Hall.”Bishop Gaines helped establish Morris Brown College in 1881. Classes were held in the basement of Big Bethel. Many Atlanta HBCUs have their origins in the church. Morehouse was sponsored by the American Baptist Home Mission Society and Spelman grew out of Friendship Baptist Church. Morris Brown College and Big Bethel AME, along with other churches and HBCUs, led to the development of a Black middle class and upper class in Atlanta. HBCU-educated entrepreneurs, doctors, clergymen, and professionals stayed in Atlanta and built out businesses, social organizations, and churches. Learn more about Big Bethel AME Church and watch a performance of their legendary choir here. Photos: Courtesy of the Library of Congress. ",[135,448,449,433],{"_74":446,"_132":-5,"_133":447},[],"Bishop Wesley John Gaines' marker","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/cfiyody7nll0b3fs3o4ux1tz1b1c?variant=desktop","reverend-frank-quarles-edit","bishop-wesley-john-gaines-edit",{"_103":199,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":489,"_147":490,"_34":463,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":489,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":446,"_158":-5},{"_103":476,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":477,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":478,"_147":479,"_34":480,"_149":-5,"_150":481,"_152":478,"_153":154,"_155":482,"_74":483,"_158":-5},{"_103":463,"_100":264,"_132":-5,"_141":464,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":465,"_147":466,"_34":467,"_149":-5,"_150":468,"_152":465,"_153":154,"_155":469,"_74":470,"_158":-5},{"_103":370,"_100":263,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":454,"_147":455,"_34":456,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":454,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":457,"_158":-5},"16152477952.jpeg",{"_159":458,"_161":459,"_163":460,"_165":461,"_167":462},36,"Stone Hall at Morris Brown.jpg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ih5gudhr2xb3rx3xyiqgujaf2qll","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ih5gudhr2xb3rx3xyiqgujaf2qll?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ih5gudhr2xb3rx3xyiqgujaf2qll?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ih5gudhr2xb3rx3xyiqgujaf2qll?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ih5gudhr2xb3rx3xyiqgujaf2qll?variant=lqip",31,1192,"16152477589.jpeg",{"_159":471,"_161":472,"_163":473,"_165":474,"_167":475},35,238,596,"Big Bethel AME Church","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4khuh2r2u1pl1j1kbhu7jxvw5y6r","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4khuh2r2u1pl1j1kbhu7jxvw5y6r?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4khuh2r2u1pl1j1kbhu7jxvw5y6r?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4khuh2r2u1pl1j1kbhu7jxvw5y6r?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4khuh2r2u1pl1j1kbhu7jxvw5y6r?variant=lqip",30,1087,"16152477190.jpeg",{"_159":484,"_161":485,"_163":486,"_165":487,"_167":488},34,217,543,"Bishop Gaines and Julia Gaines portrait","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/i73ywodfch5tw7msaykmmden8n9g","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/i73ywodfch5tw7msaykmmden8n9g?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/i73ywodfch5tw7msaykmmden8n9g?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/i73ywodfch5tw7msaykmmden8n9g?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/i73ywodfch5tw7msaykmmden8n9g?variant=lqip","16152349097.jpeg",{"_159":491,"_161":492,"_163":493,"_165":447,"_167":494},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/cfiyody7nll0b3fs3o4ux1tz1b1c","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/cfiyody7nll0b3fs3o4ux1tz1b1c?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/cfiyody7nll0b3fs3o4ux1tz1b1c?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/cfiyody7nll0b3fs3o4ux1tz1b1c?variant=lqip","william-finch","William Finch",{"_34":271,"_64":433,"_74":434},{"_34":272,"_64":532,"_74":533},"

Born into slavery in 1832, William Finch\ntrained to be a tailor. But with the outbreak of the Civil War, Finch was sent\nto accompany one of his enslaver's sons who joined the Confederate army. When a\nson in a slaveholding family enlisted, he might take along a person enslaved to\nthe family to work as a personal servant and perform non-combat duties such as\ncarrying and loading supplies. An act of gratitude at the war's end\ndemonstrated Finch’s loyalties. Using his tailor skills, he sewed a United\nStates flag and presented it in appreciation to the Union Army.

William Finch opened a tailor shop in Atlanta after the\nCivil War and became involved in local politics after Black men gained the\nright to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment. In December 1870,\nWilliam Finch and George Graham became the first African Americans elected to\nserve on the Atlanta City council. Serving a single term, Finch fought to build\nschools and create jobs. He was defeated in the next election, but is recognized today as the “Father of\nBlack Public Education” in Atlanta.

For William Finch and other Black Americans, the right to vote was a step towards freedom and self-determination. Abolitionist Frederick Douglas insisted, \"Slavery is not abolished until the Black man has the ballot.” In the decade following the Civil War, Black men and women struggled to secure their full rights of citizenship. But White Southerners soon began to roll back Black rights and civic gains through local laws (Black Codes) and court decisions (Plessy vs. Ferguson). More than 80 years passed before an African American was elected to a position in Atlanta’s city government.

","William Finch is buried in the corner lot across from the Magnolia tree.",33.74830587,-84.37111088,[511,512],"Born into slavery in 1832, William Finch\ntrained to be a tailor. But with the outbreak of the Civil War, Finch was sent\nto accompany one of his enslaver's sons who joined the Confederate army. When a\nson in a slaveholding family enlisted, he might take along a person enslaved to\nthe family to work as a personal servant and perform non-combat duties such as\ncarrying and loading supplies. An act of gratitude at the war's end\ndemonstrated Finch’s loyalties. Using his tailor skills, he sewed a United\nStates flag and presented it in appreciation to the Union Army. William Finch opened a tailor shop in Atlanta after the\nCivil War and became involved in local politics after Black men gained the\nright to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment. In December 1870,\nWilliam Finch and George Graham became the first African Americans elected to\nserve on the Atlanta City council. Serving a single term, Finch fought to build\nschools and create jobs. He was defeated in the next election, but is recognized today as the “Father of\nBlack Public Education” in Atlanta. For William Finch and other Black Americans, the right to vote was a step towards freedom and self-determination. Abolitionist Frederick Douglas insisted, \"Slavery is not abolished until the Black man has the ballot.” In the decade following the Civil War, Black men and women struggled to secure their full rights of citizenship. But White Southerners soon began to roll back Black rights and civic gains through local laws (Black Codes) and court decisions (Plessy vs. Ferguson). More than 80 years passed before an African American was elected to a position in Atlanta’s city government.",[135,495,510],{"_74":508,"_132":-5,"_133":509},[],"William Finch marker","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/5bldp2khygglomjlkn1rvqti5l94?variant=desktop","william-finch-photo",{"_103":324,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":526,"_147":527,"_34":367,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":526,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":508,"_158":-5},{"_103":513,"_100":35,"_132":514,"_141":266,"_143":515,"_144":516,"_145":517,"_147":518,"_34":519,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":517,"_153":273,"_155":274,"_74":520,"_158":516},33,"Kamaria Finch is the great-great granddaughter of Oakland Cemetery resident Rev. William Finch (1832-1911). In 1870, in the height of the Reconstruction Era, Finch was elected as Atlanta's first black city councilman. Living Links is produced in partnership with Candler Park-based Mixed Bag Media.","//www.youtube.com/embed/eUxaJY0BPWM","eUxaJY0BPWM","eUxaJY0BPWM.jpg",{"_159":521,"_161":522,"_163":523,"_165":524,"_167":525},37,"Living Links: Kamaria Finch","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ajeiitxf7kg8z2j1pdo9cd2r4z5f","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ajeiitxf7kg8z2j1pdo9cd2r4z5f?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ajeiitxf7kg8z2j1pdo9cd2r4z5f?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ajeiitxf7kg8z2j1pdo9cd2r4z5f?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ajeiitxf7kg8z2j1pdo9cd2r4z5f?variant=lqip","16152342117.jpeg",{"_159":528,"_161":529,"_163":530,"_165":509,"_167":531},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/5bldp2khygglomjlkn1rvqti5l94","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/5bldp2khygglomjlkn1rvqti5l94?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/5bldp2khygglomjlkn1rvqti5l94?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/5bldp2khygglomjlkn1rvqti5l94?variant=lqip","james-tate","James Tate",{"_34":379,"_64":495,"_74":496},{"_34":263,"_64":566,"_74":567},"

After the Civil War, James Tate joined\nthousands of other emancipated men and women moving to Atlanta in search of\neducation, employment, and new opportunities. With just $6 in inventory, Tate opened\nthe first African American-owned business in Atlanta, a grocery store. He used\nhis profits to open a second grocery store and made loans to other Black\nentrepreneurs. Tate is regarded by many as the \"Father of Black Business\nin Atlanta.\"
A leading advocate for educational opportunities for Atlanta's African\nAmerican community, Tate helped establish the first school for Black children\nin Atlanta. He was a co-founder of Friendship Baptist Church, which has ties to\ntwo historically black colleges in Atlanta - Morehouse College and Spelman\nCollege.

\n\n

James Tate, a man born enslaved in Elbert County in 1826, laid down\nfoundations for Atlanta's Black community to grow and thrive. Tate died in 1897\nand came to rest at Oakland's African American Burial Grounds beside his wife,\nOlivia, and their children. Tate's descendants continue to play an active role in\nAtlanta.

Tate photo: E.R. Carter, The Black Side, 1894.

Learn more about the Tate family and a Tate descendant, World War I veteran James Edward Tate Jr.

","The Tate family lot is located NE from the African American Burial Grounds interpretive panel.",33.74857044,-84.37058987,[547,548],"After the Civil War, James Tate joined\nthousands of other emancipated men and women moving to Atlanta in search of\neducation, employment, and new opportunities. With just $6 in inventory, Tate opened\nthe first African American-owned business in Atlanta, a grocery store. He used\nhis profits to open a second grocery store and made loans to other Black\nentrepreneurs. Tate is regarded by many as the \"Father of Black Business\nin Atlanta.\"A leading advocate for educational opportunities for Atlanta's African\nAmerican community, Tate helped establish the first school for Black children\nin Atlanta. He was a co-founder of Friendship Baptist Church, which has ties to\ntwo historically black colleges in Atlanta - Morehouse College and Spelman\nCollege. \n\nJames Tate, a man born enslaved in Elbert County in 1826, laid down\nfoundations for Atlanta's Black community to grow and thrive. Tate died in 1897\nand came to rest at Oakland's African American Burial Grounds beside his wife,\nOlivia, and their children. Tate's descendants continue to play an active role in\nAtlanta. Tate photo: E. R. Carter, The Black Side, 1894. Learn more about the Tate family and a Tate descendant, World War I veteran James Edward Tate Jr. ",[135,532],{"_74":545,"_132":-5,"_133":546},[],"The Tate family lot ","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0amjgiu7lk92l4efziargb5u98h0?variant=desktop",{"_103":379,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":560,"_147":561,"_34":169,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":560,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":545,"_158":-5},{"_103":245,"_100":35,"_132":118,"_141":549,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":550,"_147":551,"_34":375,"_149":-5,"_150":552,"_152":550,"_153":154,"_155":553,"_74":554,"_158":-5},1248,"16152180811.png",{"_159":555,"_161":556,"_163":557,"_165":558,"_167":559},250,624,"James Tate, \"The Black Side\" by E.R. Carter (1894)","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/euebputwv3lfg31a8thkgd9clleu","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/euebputwv3lfg31a8thkgd9clleu?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/euebputwv3lfg31a8thkgd9clleu?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/euebputwv3lfg31a8thkgd9clleu?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/euebputwv3lfg31a8thkgd9clleu?variant=lqip","16152168945.jpeg",{"_159":562,"_161":563,"_163":564,"_165":546,"_167":565},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0amjgiu7lk92l4efziargb5u98h0","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0amjgiu7lk92l4efziargb5u98h0?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0amjgiu7lk92l4efziargb5u98h0?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0amjgiu7lk92l4efziargb5u98h0?variant=lqip","african-american-burial-grounds","African American Burial Grounds",{"_34":272,"_64":532,"_74":533},{"_34":264,"_64":589,"_74":590},"

This 3.5-acre section of Oakland opened\nin 1866 for African Americans to purchase burial space. According to burial\nrecords, more than 12,000 African Americans are buried in Oakland. But look\naround – do you see 12,000 markers? Many African Americans used trees, shrubs,\nor wooden crosses to mark a burial site. Those natural markers deteriorated\nover the years.

From 1866 until 1963, Black Atlantans could only buy burial plots in this section. As people were racially segregated in daily life – in education, business, leisure, and worship – so were they kept apart in death in cemeteries across the nation. The racial segregation of burials continued in\nOakland until 1963 when all public parks and facilities desegregated\nin Atlanta.

Today, the African American Burial Grounds is a space to celebrate Black achievement, honor the struggle for Black liberation, and learn about the continued impact of white supremacy.

Discover how the Historic Oakland Foundation gardens team is researching and re-landscaping the African American Burial Grounds here.

","Walk east down the hill from Slave Square to reach the SW corner of the African American Burial Grounds.",33.74805347,-84.37112027,[582],"This 3.5-acre section of Oakland opened\nin 1866 for African Americans to purchase burial space. According to burial\nrecords, more than 12,000 African Americans are buried in Oakland. But look\naround – do you see 12,000 markers? Many African Americans used trees, shrubs,\nor wooden crosses to mark a burial site. Those natural markers deteriorated\nover the years. From 1866 until 1963, Black Atlantans could only buy burial plots in this section. As people were racially segregated in daily life – in education, business, leisure, and worship – so were they kept apart in death in cemeteries across the nation. The racial segregation of burials continued in\nOakland until 1963 when all public parks and facilities desegregated\nin Atlanta. Today, the African American Burial Grounds is a space to celebrate Black achievement, honor the struggle for Black liberation, and learn about the continued impact of white supremacy. Discover how the Historic Oakland Foundation gardens team is researching and re-landscaping the African American Burial Grounds here.",[135,566,581],{"_74":579,"_132":-5,"_133":580},[],"A view of the African American Burial Grounds","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4521x5bbq83hu5f9x8je17ks1es6?variant=desktop","african-american-burial-grounds-edit",{"_103":303,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":583,"_147":584,"_34":69,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":583,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":579,"_158":-5},"16152174947.jpeg",{"_159":585,"_161":586,"_163":587,"_165":580,"_167":588},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4521x5bbq83hu5f9x8je17ks1es6","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4521x5bbq83hu5f9x8je17ks1es6?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4521x5bbq83hu5f9x8je17ks1es6?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/4521x5bbq83hu5f9x8je17ks1es6?variant=lqip","john-and-slave-square","John and Slave Square ",{"_34":263,"_64":566,"_74":567},"

In 1853, a 14-year-old boy named John was laid to rest in the northeastern corner of Oakland Cemetery. Less than twenty-five years later, his remains disappeared.

What happened?

After Oakland Cemetery's founding in 1850, the Atlanta City Council set aside the northeast corner of the six-acre grounds for the burial of African Americans. This section came to be known as Slave Square. John was the first person to be buried in Slave Square in February 1853. By the start of the Civil War, more than 800 men, women, and children rested in Slave Square.

Oakland reached its current size of 48 acres by 1867. Occupying a central area and located on a hill, Slave Square was considered a desirable burial space. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal of the bodies from Slave Square to make room for more burials. The remains of John and more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.” After the Sexton prepared the ground for new burials, the Slave Square lots were sold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50.

Many people are fearful of disturbing the resting places of the dead, but history tells us that’s what happened at Slave Square in 1877. By sharing John's story and the history of Slave Square's original residents, Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to preserve Black narratives.

","Free parking is available in the lot outside of the Front Gate at Oakland Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. To get to Slave Square, walk down the main road and turn left at the second intersection.",33.74798432,-84.37274837,[604],"In 1853, a 14-year-old boy named John was laid to rest in the northeastern corner of Oakland Cemetery. Less than twenty-five years later, his remains disappeared. What happened? After Oakland Cemetery's founding in 1850, the Atlanta City Council set aside the northeast corner of the six-acre grounds for the burial of African Americans. This section came to be known as Slave Square. John was the first person to be buried in Slave Square in February 1853. By the start of the Civil War, more than 800 men, women, and children rested in Slave Square. Oakland reached its current size of 48 acres by 1867. Occupying a central area and located on a hill, Slave Square was considered a desirable burial space. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal of the bodies from Slave Square to make room for more burials. The remains of John and more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.” After the Sexton prepared the ground for new burials, the Slave Square lots were sold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50.Many people are fearful of disturbing the resting places of the dead, but history tells us that’s what happened at Slave Square in 1877. By sharing John's story and the history of Slave Square's original residents, Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to preserve Black narratives. ",[135,603,589],{"_74":601,"_132":-5,"_133":602},[],"Interpretive panel at the corner of Slave Square in the Original Six Acres","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/s1ykq3cemq5kkm6mz8lfh2uxrctm?variant=desktop","slave-square",{"_103":272,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":605,"_147":606,"_34":245,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":605,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":601,"_158":-5},"16152167413.jpeg",{"_159":607,"_161":608,"_163":609,"_165":602,"_167":610},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/s1ykq3cemq5kkm6mz8lfh2uxrctm","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/s1ykq3cemq5kkm6mz8lfh2uxrctm?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/s1ykq3cemq5kkm6mz8lfh2uxrctm?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/s1ykq3cemq5kkm6mz8lfh2uxrctm?variant=lqip","Virtual Tour of Oakland Cemetery: We Shall Overcome","We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights, a tour led by HOF volunteer Jihan Hurse","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/kcs99tsn1egapzcomwo0wolj661f?variant=desktop",{"_103":272,"_34":23,"_74":619},{"_103":379,"_34":35,"_74":618},{"_103":303,"_34":263,"_74":617},"WALKING","DRIVING","BICYCLING",{"_103":263,"_100":35,"_132":612,"_141":266,"_143":621,"_144":622,"_145":623,"_147":624,"_34":303,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":623,"_153":273,"_155":274,"_74":611,"_158":622},"//www.youtube.com/embed/29qgpcrXpTQ","29qgpcrXpTQ","29qgpcrXpTQ.jpg",{"_159":625,"_161":626,"_163":627,"_165":613,"_167":628},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/kcs99tsn1egapzcomwo0wolj661f","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/kcs99tsn1egapzcomwo0wolj661f?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/kcs99tsn1egapzcomwo0wolj661f?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/kcs99tsn1egapzcomwo0wolj661f?variant=lqip",{"_100":23,"_103":264,"_34":264,"_74":640,"_64":641,"_634":642,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":35,"_103":272,"_34":263,"_74":637,"_64":638,"_634":639,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":264,"_103":379,"_34":272,"_74":632,"_64":633,"_634":635,"_119":25,"_636":23},"Feedback","feedback","body","Help Historic Oakland Foundation improve our educational tours. Share your feedback by emailing mbreffle@oaklandcemetery.com. Thank you for your support! ","tour_count","Donate ","donate","Support Historic Oakland Foundation's efforts to restore the African American Burial Grounds by donating or becoming an HOF member. ","About Oakland Cemetery","about-oakland-cemetery","Founded in 1850, Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery spans 48 acres of gardens, wildlife, and sculpture. Oakland is the final resting place for 70,000 people, including author Margaret Mitchell, golf great Bobby Jones, 27 Atlanta mayors, six former governors, and thousands of unmarked graves. Oakland Cemetery offers critical green space for recreation and serves as a cultural resource those who come to study history, art, architecture, archaeology, horticulture, photography and more. In partnership with the City of Atlanta, Historic Oakland Foundation works to preserve, restore, enhance and share Oakland Cemetery, which is open free of charge to the public 365 days a year (special fees for tours and events). Visit www.oaklandcemetery.com for more details.","south",33.747884570000004,"north",33.74888206999999,"east",-84.36978344375,"west",-84.37509170625,"centerLat",33.74838332,"centerLng",-84.37243757499999,"4",{"_643":902,"_645":903,"_647":904,"_649":905,"_651":906,"_653":907},"In ways big and small, each resident of Oakland left a mark on this world through\ntheir relationships, stories, and actions. But how well do we remember those\nburied below beyond their looming monuments and imposing mausoleums? An\n\n\t\t\t\t\texceptional few are remembered for their effect on entire communities and for\ncreating legacies that inspire others to do the same.\n

This online exhibit showcases six influential women buried at Oakland Cemetery. These\nwomen founded or inspired organizations and initiatives that continue to positively\naffect Atlantans and people around the world. Through their choice to support and\nuplift others, these six women have created lasting legacies that immortalize their\nideals and accomplishments in life.",[895,896,897],[885],"In ways big and small, each resident of Oakland left a mark on this world through\ntheir relationships, stories, and actions. But how well do we remember those\nburied below beyond their looming monuments and imposing mausoleums? An\n\n\t\t\t\t\texceptional few are remembered for their effect on entire communities and for\ncreating legacies that inspire others to do the same.\nThis online exhibit showcases six influential women buried at Oakland Cemetery. These\nwomen founded or inspired organizations and initiatives that continue to positively\naffect Atlantans and people around the world. Through their choice to support and\nuplift others, these six women have created lasting legacies that immortalize their\nideals and accomplishments in life.",{"_34":263,"_74":617},[880,881,882,883],"4 minutes reading",{"_74":878,"_132":-5,"_133":879},"the-immortal-women-of-oakland",[665],[673,674,675,676,677,678],"The Immortal Women of Oakland ","21 minutes walking",{"_34":272,"_74":672},[],"dark-blue",{"_99":845,"_100":23,"_101":-5,"_103":295,"_104":846,"_106":-5,"_30":847,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":295,"_113":848,"_115":849,"_40":-5,"_44":850,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":851,"_64":843,"_66":852,"_62":853,"_74":844,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":854},{"_99":807,"_100":35,"_101":808,"_103":476,"_104":809,"_106":-5,"_30":810,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":476,"_113":811,"_115":812,"_40":-5,"_44":813,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":814,"_64":805,"_66":815,"_62":816,"_74":806,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":817},{"_99":783,"_100":264,"_101":784,"_103":199,"_104":785,"_106":-5,"_30":786,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":199,"_113":787,"_115":788,"_40":-5,"_44":789,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":790,"_64":781,"_66":791,"_62":792,"_74":782,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":793},{"_99":743,"_100":263,"_101":744,"_103":367,"_104":745,"_106":-5,"_30":746,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":367,"_113":747,"_115":748,"_40":-5,"_44":749,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":750,"_64":741,"_66":751,"_62":752,"_74":742,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":753},{"_99":705,"_100":272,"_101":706,"_103":463,"_104":707,"_106":-5,"_30":708,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":463,"_113":709,"_115":710,"_40":-5,"_44":711,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":712,"_64":703,"_66":713,"_62":714,"_74":704,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":715},{"_99":-5,"_100":379,"_101":679,"_103":211,"_104":680,"_106":-5,"_30":681,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":211,"_113":682,"_115":683,"_40":-5,"_44":684,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":685,"_64":686,"_66":687,"_62":688,"_74":689,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":690},{"_34":463,"_64":703,"_74":704},"PJWJ+V4 Atlanta, GA, USA","

As a member of the prominent Inman family and wife of Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., Louise\n\n\t\t\t\t\tRichardson Allen used her influence to support numerous educational and cultural\norganizations across Atlanta. An avid gardener and lover of history, Allen helped to found the Georgia\nTrust for Historic Preservation, the Cherokee Garden Library, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.\nShe later facilitated the creation of a history museum, the Atlanta History Center, in her home\nneighborhood of Buckhead.\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAllen turned her efforts towards Oakland Cemetery in the early 1970s. The neglected cemetery presented a landscape of collapsed monuments, weed-choked lots, and broken brick paths. In 1976, Allen\nand several other “friends of Oakland” founded the Historic Oakland Foundation to preserve, restore,\nenhance, and share the cemetery with the people of Atlanta. Allen rests on Oakland’s East Hill near her\nson and husband, two other Oakland Cemetery supporters. The Historic Oakland Foundation continues to support the cemetery’s preservation and provides its visitors with new educational experiences.

Read Louise's obituary here.

",33.7471735,-84.36962596,[694],"As a member of the prominent Inman family and wife of Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., Louise\n\n\t\t\t\t\tRichardson Allen used her influence to support numerous educational and cultural\norganizations across Atlanta. An avid gardener and lover of history, Allen helped to found the Georgia\nTrust for Historic Preservation, the Cherokee Garden Library, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.\nShe later facilitated the creation of a history museum, the Atlanta History Center, in her home\nneighborhood of Buckhead.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tAllen turned her efforts towards Oakland Cemetery in the early 1970s. The neglected cemetery presented a landscape of collapsed monuments, weed-choked lots, and broken brick paths. In 1976, Allen\nand several other “friends of Oakland” founded the Historic Oakland Foundation to preserve, restore,\nenhance, and share the cemetery with the people of Atlanta. Allen rests on Oakland’s East Hill near her\nson and husband, two other Oakland Cemetery supporters. The Historic Oakland Foundation continues to support the cemetery’s preservation and provides its visitors with new educational experiences. Read Louise's obituary here.","louise-richardson-allen-1917-2008",[135,686],{"_74":691,"_132":692,"_133":693},"Louise Richardson Allen (1917-2008)",[],"Louise Richardson Allen","An avid gardener, Louise Allen saw the beauty in all of nature, even the overgrown, weed-covered lots of Oakland Cemetery. Courtesy of the Kenan Research Center.","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/rzwikq2guv06i6ti8uu4ly4r3dek?variant=desktop",{"_103":695,"_100":23,"_132":692,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":696,"_147":697,"_34":698,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":696,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":691,"_158":-5},46,"16368424091.png",{"_159":699,"_161":700,"_163":701,"_165":693,"_167":702},51,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/rzwikq2guv06i6ti8uu4ly4r3dek","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/rzwikq2guv06i6ti8uu4ly4r3dek?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/rzwikq2guv06i6ti8uu4ly4r3dek?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/rzwikq2guv06i6ti8uu4ly4r3dek?variant=lqip","marie-woolfolk-taylor-1893-1960","Marie Woolfolk Taylor (1893-1960)",{"_34":211,"_64":686,"_74":689},{"_34":367,"_64":741,"_74":742},"PJXH+8J Atlanta, GA, USA","

As a daughter of two Atlanta University professors, Marie Woolfolk Taylor\n\n\t\t\t\t\tgrew up with a passion for education. As a woman who lived and died under\nsegregation, she was a vocal activist for the rights of African Americans. Guided by\nthese two passions and convictions, Taylor co-founded an organization dedicated to\nsupporting and educating black women at Howard University in 1908.\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc (AKA) is the first Greek-letter organization in the\nnation founded by and for black women. Taylor served as the first secretary and\nhelped to write the organization’s bylaws. Taylor also helped to organize the first\ngraduate chapter in Georgia, Kappa Omega. Today, AKA has over 300,000 collegiate\nmembers and alumnae across the world. Through social advocacy initiatives and\nprograms, AKA advocates equality and equity for all citizens of the world.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.

",33.74836435,-84.37097243,[717,718],"As a daughter of two Atlanta University professors, Marie Woolfolk Taylor\n\n\t\t\t\t\tgrew up with a passion for education. As a woman who lived and died under\nsegregation, she was a vocal activist for the rights of African Americans. Guided by\nthese two passions and convictions, Taylor co-founded an organization dedicated to\nsupporting and educating black women at Howard University in 1908.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc (AKA) is the first Greek-letter organization in the\nnation founded by and for black women. Taylor served as the first secretary and\nhelped to write the organization’s bylaws. Taylor also helped to organize the first\ngraduate chapter in Georgia, Kappa Omega. Today, AKA has over 300,000 collegiate\nmembers and alumnae across the world. Through social advocacy initiatives and\nprograms, AKA advocates equality and equity for all citizens of the world. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. ",[135,703],{"_74":287,"_132":-5,"_133":716},[],"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/n9xbiggp5cx33kqwqtc6mrxxv3fb?variant=desktop",{"_103":730,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":731,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":732,"_147":733,"_34":734,"_149":-5,"_150":735,"_152":732,"_153":154,"_155":736,"_74":287,"_158":-5},{"_103":719,"_100":35,"_132":720,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":721,"_147":722,"_34":723,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":721,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":724,"_158":-5},54,"A member of the “Divine Nine,” Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of nine historically black Greek-letter organizations in the nation. This photo shows the Alpha Kappa Alpha founders in 1908. Courtesy of Alpha Kappa Alpha","16368496256.jpeg",{"_159":725,"_161":726,"_163":727,"_165":728,"_167":729},60,"Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders ","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/3p6npe296jfgwdfce0yze2jza9uh","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/3p6npe296jfgwdfce0yze2jza9uh?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/3p6npe296jfgwdfce0yze2jza9uh?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/3p6npe296jfgwdfce0yze2jza9uh?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/3p6npe296jfgwdfce0yze2jza9uh?variant=lqip",53,1003,"16368495546.png",{"_159":737,"_161":738,"_163":739,"_165":716,"_167":740},59,201,502,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/n9xbiggp5cx33kqwqtc6mrxxv3fb","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/n9xbiggp5cx33kqwqtc6mrxxv3fb?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/n9xbiggp5cx33kqwqtc6mrxxv3fb?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/n9xbiggp5cx33kqwqtc6mrxxv3fb?variant=lqip","rhoda-kaufman-1888-1956","Rhoda Kaufman (1888-1956)",{"_34":463,"_64":703,"_74":704},{"_34":199,"_64":781,"_74":782},"PJWH+WG Atlanta, GA, USA","

Rhoda Kaufman was one of Georgia’s most vocal activists in the early 20th century. As a\nyoung woman, Kaufman led campaigns to fund training schools for girls and provide aid for\nindividuals with cognitive disabilities in Atlanta. In 1920, Kaufman joined the newly formed Georgia\n\n\t\t\t\t\tBoard of Public Welfare (GBPW) and her reforms spread statewide.\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tKaufman was quickly promoted to Executive Secretary of the GBPW and became one of three women\nin the nation to hold such a high position. Many GBPW programs supported families, immigrants, and\npeople of color. The Ku Klux Klan reacted to these programs by attacking Kaufman, a Jewish woman,\nin an anti-Semitic letter that railed against government interference. Kaufman resigned in 1929 to protect the GBPW, but the Klan’s efforts backfired. The legislature voted to increase funding for welfare,\nwhich helped fund recovery efforts during the Great Depression.\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tToday, the Georgia Department of Human Services (formerly the GBPW) continues to deliver social\nservices to Georgians. Through her dedication to aiding others, Rhoda Kaufman continues to inspire\ntoday’s activists to fight for social change.

Jewish Women's Archive profile of Rhoda Kaufman here.

",33.74726831,-84.37124468,[757,758],"Rhoda Kaufman was one of Georgia’s most vocal activists in the early 20th century. As a\nyoung woman, Kaufman led campaigns to fund training schools for girls and provide aid for\nindividuals with cognitive disabilities in Atlanta. In 1920, Kaufman joined the newly formed Georgia\n\n\t\t\t\t\tBoard of Public Welfare (GBPW) and her reforms spread statewide.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tKaufman was quickly promoted to Executive Secretary of the GBPW and became one of three women\nin the nation to hold such a high position. Many GBPW programs supported families, immigrants, and\npeople of color. The Ku Klux Klan reacted to these programs by attacking Kaufman, a Jewish woman,\nin an anti-Semitic letter that railed against government interference. Kaufman resigned in 1929 to protect the GBPW, but the Klan’s efforts backfired. The legislature voted to increase funding for welfare,\nwhich helped fund recovery efforts during the Great Depression.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tToday, the Georgia Department of Human Services (formerly the GBPW) continues to deliver social\nservices to Georgians. Through her dedication to aiding others, Rhoda Kaufman continues to inspire\ntoday’s activists to fight for social change. Jewish Women's Archive profile of Rhoda Kaufman here. ",[135,756,741],{"_74":754,"_132":-5,"_133":755},[],"Rhoda Kaufman","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1w52psriv64dle9k13lgfkvo0ye0?variant=desktop","1636842650807",{"_103":771,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":772,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":773,"_147":774,"_34":730,"_149":-5,"_150":775,"_152":773,"_153":154,"_155":776,"_74":754,"_158":-5},{"_103":759,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":760,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":761,"_147":762,"_34":719,"_149":-5,"_150":763,"_152":761,"_153":154,"_155":764,"_74":765,"_158":-5},48,1211,"16368482583.png",{"_159":766,"_161":767,"_163":768,"_165":769,"_167":770},242,605,"Rhoda and Bernice Kaufman","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/bjzzuin0kkdm55crtdeq3nmt7zy2","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/bjzzuin0kkdm55crtdeq3nmt7zy2?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/bjzzuin0kkdm55crtdeq3nmt7zy2?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/bjzzuin0kkdm55crtdeq3nmt7zy2?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/bjzzuin0kkdm55crtdeq3nmt7zy2?variant=lqip",47,1118,"16368482231.png",{"_159":777,"_161":778,"_163":779,"_165":755,"_167":780},224,559,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1w52psriv64dle9k13lgfkvo0ye0","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1w52psriv64dle9k13lgfkvo0ye0?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1w52psriv64dle9k13lgfkvo0ye0?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/1w52psriv64dle9k13lgfkvo0ye0?variant=lqip","nannie-seawell-boyd-1855-1954","Nannie Seawell Boyd (1855-1954)",{"_34":367,"_64":741,"_74":742},{"_34":476,"_64":805,"_74":806},"PJXG+8X Atlanta, GA, USA","

The High Museum of Art has dominated Atlanta’s cultural landscape for decades,\nbut this institution had humble origins. In the early 20th century, socialite Nannie\nBoyd hosted the Every Saturday Club, an exclusive salon where Atlanta’s educated\n\n\t\t\t\t\twomen discussed history, philosophy, and art. Recognizing that art should be available to\neveryone, Boyd and several club members formed the Atlanta Art Association in 1905. As\npresident, Boyd oversaw the association’s wildly successful first exhibition.

\n\n\t\t\t\t\tSeeking to expand the organization, Boyd created Atlanta’s first art school and advocated\nfor a permanent exhibition venue. This vision was fulfilled in 1926 when Harriet Harwell\nWilson High donated her Peachtree Street property to the Atlanta Art Association to be\nused as a museum. Today, more than 400,000 annual visitors enjoy the High Museum’s\nexhibits and programs. As one of the country’s leading art museums, the High Museum\nensures Atlanta’s position as a center for culture and art education.

",33.7483186,-84.37260255,[796],"The High Museum of Art has dominated Atlanta’s cultural landscape for decades,\nbut this institution had humble origins. In the early 20th century, socialite Nannie\nBoyd hosted the Every Saturday Club, an exclusive salon where Atlanta’s educated\n\n\t\t\t\t\twomen discussed history, philosophy, and art. Recognizing that art should be available to\neveryone, Boyd and several club members formed the Atlanta Art Association in 1905. As\npresident, Boyd oversaw the association’s wildly successful first exhibition.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tSeeking to expand the organization, Boyd created Atlanta’s first art school and advocated\nfor a permanent exhibition venue. This vision was fulfilled in 1926 when Harriet Harwell\nWilson High donated her Peachtree Street property to the Atlanta Art Association to be\nused as a museum. Today, more than 400,000 annual visitors enjoy the High Museum’s\nexhibits and programs. As one of the country’s leading art museums, the High Museum\nensures Atlanta’s position as a center for culture and art education.",[135,781],{"_74":794,"_132":-5,"_133":795},[],"Nannie Seawell Boyd","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/zmq30rnkw9zix986dbr9ymt1032j?variant=desktop",{"_103":797,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":798,"_147":799,"_34":800,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":798,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":794,"_158":-5},55,"16368501946.png",{"_159":801,"_161":802,"_163":803,"_165":795,"_167":804},61,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/zmq30rnkw9zix986dbr9ymt1032j","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/zmq30rnkw9zix986dbr9ymt1032j?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/zmq30rnkw9zix986dbr9ymt1032j?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/zmq30rnkw9zix986dbr9ymt1032j?variant=lqip","rebecca-douglas-lowe-1844-1918","Rebecca Douglas Lowe (1844-1918)",{"_34":199,"_64":781,"_74":782},{"_34":295,"_64":843,"_74":844},"PJXG+MV Atlanta, GA, USA","

A vocal advocate for women’s rights, Rebecca Douglas Lowe organized the Atlanta Woman’s\nClub (AWC) in 1895. Regarded as one of the oldest woman’s organizations in Atlanta, the\nAWC provided opportunities for women to influence social change at a time when they were denied\nsuffrage and equality. Lowe challenged the pay gap between male and female educators, lobbied for\nfree youth education, and proposed women’s unions for better working conditions in Atlanta’s textile\nfactories. In 1896, she organized 17 clubs into the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs. Lowe\nserved as the organization’s first president and was later elected president of the General Federation of\nWomen’s Clubs, a post she held from 1898 to 1902.\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tRebecca Douglas Lowe inspired thousands of women to work to better their communities through\nservice, however, both the AWC and the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs excluded women of\ncolor from their message and membership in the early 20th century. Today, both organizations invoke\ngreater inclusivity, engage in charitable services, and continue to empower Georgia women of all races,\nbackgrounds, and creeds.

Atlanta Women's Club

",33.7492238,-84.37280975,[820,821],"A vocal advocate for women’s rights, Rebecca Douglas Lowe organized the Atlanta Woman’s\nClub (AWC) in 1895. Regarded as one of the oldest woman’s organizations in Atlanta, the\nAWC provided opportunities for women to influence social change at a time when they were denied\nsuffrage and equality. Lowe challenged the pay gap between male and female educators, lobbied for\nfree youth education, and proposed women’s unions for better working conditions in Atlanta’s textile\nfactories. In 1896, she organized 17 clubs into the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs. Lowe\nserved as the organization’s first president and was later elected president of the General Federation of\nWomen’s Clubs, a post she held from 1898 to 1902.\n\n\t\t\t\t\tRebecca Douglas Lowe inspired thousands of women to work to better their communities through\nservice, however, both the AWC and the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs excluded women of\ncolor from their message and membership in the early 20th century. Today, both organizations invoke\ngreater inclusivity, engage in charitable services, and continue to empower Georgia women of all races,\nbackgrounds, and creeds. Atlanta Women's Club",[135,805],{"_74":818,"_132":-5,"_133":819},[],"Rebecca-Douglas-Lowe.jpeg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/toj7w8gx97wwz99cjmrpm48axjmd?variant=desktop",{"_103":832,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":833,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":834,"_147":835,"_34":836,"_149":-5,"_150":837,"_152":834,"_153":154,"_155":838,"_74":818,"_158":-5},{"_103":822,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":823,"_147":824,"_34":825,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":823,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":826,"_158":-5},52,"16368493102.png",{"_159":827,"_161":828,"_163":829,"_165":830,"_167":831},58,"Atlanta Women's Club at the Wimbish House","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/m4tt06em7onmrb0kbhmokgxplnrw","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/m4tt06em7onmrb0kbhmokgxplnrw?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/m4tt06em7onmrb0kbhmokgxplnrw?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/m4tt06em7onmrb0kbhmokgxplnrw?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/m4tt06em7onmrb0kbhmokgxplnrw?variant=lqip",50,1154,"16368488253.jpeg",{"_159":839,"_161":840,"_163":841,"_165":819,"_167":842},56,231,577,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/toj7w8gx97wwz99cjmrpm48axjmd","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/toj7w8gx97wwz99cjmrpm48axjmd?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/toj7w8gx97wwz99cjmrpm48axjmd?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/toj7w8gx97wwz99cjmrpm48axjmd?variant=lqip","carrie-steele-logan-1829-1900","Carrie Steele Logan (1829-1900)",{"_34":476,"_64":805,"_74":806},"PJXH+7V Atlanta, GA, USA","

Carrie Steele Logan dedicated her life to helping those in need, including children\nwho had been forcibly separated from their families during slavery and the Civil\nWar. After Emancipation, Logan found work as a maid at Atlanta’s Union Station. She\n\n\t\t\t\t\tobserved many homeless African American children wandering around the train yards.\nLogan let the children play in empty boxcars during the day and took them to her Auburn\nAvenue home at night. Logan eventually sold her home and her autobiography to raise\nfunds for a new building.

\n\t\t\t\t\tChartered in 1888, the Carrie Steele Orphan Home opened in 1892 and contained a\nschool, which embodied Logan’s belief that knowledge was freedom. Later renamed the\nCarrie Steele-Pitts Home, this institution is recognized as the oldest African American\norphanage still operating in the nation. The Carrie Steele-Pitts Home has housed over\n20,000 children since 1888 and continues to provide children in need with a home,\neducation, and support.

Carrie Steele-Pitts Home",33.748158,-84.37027774,[857,858],"Carrie Steele Logan dedicated her life to helping those in need, including children\nwho had been forcibly separated from their families during slavery and the Civil\nWar. After Emancipation, Logan found work as a maid at Atlanta’s Union Station. She\n\n\t\t\t\t\tobserved many homeless African American children wandering around the train yards.\nLogan let the children play in empty boxcars during the day and took them to her Auburn\nAvenue home at night. Logan eventually sold her home and her autobiography to raise\nfunds for a new building. \n\t\t\t\t\tChartered in 1888, the Carrie Steele Orphan Home opened in 1892 and contained a\nschool, which embodied Logan’s belief that knowledge was freedom. Later renamed the\nCarrie Steele-Pitts Home, this institution is recognized as the oldest African American\norphanage still operating in the nation. The Carrie Steele-Pitts Home has housed over\n20,000 children since 1888 and continues to provide children in need with a home,\neducation, and support. Carrie Steele-Pitts Home",[135,843],{"_74":855,"_132":-5,"_133":856},[],"Carrie Steele Logan","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/9gw45udnephyeba1w0pga0ewf5zc?variant=desktop",{"_103":868,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":869,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":870,"_147":871,"_34":797,"_149":-5,"_150":872,"_152":870,"_153":154,"_155":873,"_74":855,"_158":-5},{"_103":698,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":859,"_147":860,"_34":861,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":859,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":862,"_158":-5},"16368491463.jpeg",{"_159":863,"_161":864,"_163":865,"_165":866,"_167":867},57,"Carrie Steele-Pitts Home","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0rfmf0e2ebukgvtz1wuqn8ueqcs7","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0rfmf0e2ebukgvtz1wuqn8ueqcs7?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0rfmf0e2ebukgvtz1wuqn8ueqcs7?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0rfmf0e2ebukgvtz1wuqn8ueqcs7?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/0rfmf0e2ebukgvtz1wuqn8ueqcs7?variant=lqip",49,939,"16368485668.png",{"_159":874,"_161":875,"_163":876,"_165":856,"_167":877},188,469,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/9gw45udnephyeba1w0pga0ewf5zc","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/9gw45udnephyeba1w0pga0ewf5zc?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/9gw45udnephyeba1w0pga0ewf5zc?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/9gw45udnephyeba1w0pga0ewf5zc?variant=lqip","Immortal Women of Oakland","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ftpvo730wpzfs61w90kjnglayn63?variant=desktop",{"_103":375,"_34":23,"_74":619},{"_103":172,"_34":35,"_74":618},{"_103":85,"_34":264,"_74":884},{"_103":397,"_34":263,"_74":617},"TRANSIT",{"_103":379,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":886,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":887,"_147":888,"_34":822,"_149":-5,"_150":889,"_152":887,"_153":154,"_155":890,"_74":878,"_158":-5},1414,"16368481228.png",{"_159":891,"_161":892,"_163":893,"_165":879,"_167":894},283,707,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ftpvo730wpzfs61w90kjnglayn63","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ftpvo730wpzfs61w90kjnglayn63?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ftpvo730wpzfs61w90kjnglayn63?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ftpvo730wpzfs61w90kjnglayn63?variant=lqip",{"_100":23,"_103":85,"_34":172,"_74":640,"_64":641,"_634":901,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":35,"_103":397,"_34":85,"_74":637,"_64":638,"_634":900,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":264,"_103":234,"_34":397,"_74":898,"_64":633,"_634":899,"_119":25,"_636":23},"Feedback ","Help Historic Oakland Foundation improve our educational tours. Share your feedback by emailing mbreffle@oaklandcemetery.com. Thank you for your support!","Support Historic Oakland Foundation's efforts to restore the African American Burial Grounds by donating or becoming an HOF member.","Founded in 1850, Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery spans 48 acres of gardens, wildlife, and sculpture. Oakland is the final resting place for 70,000 people, including author Margaret Mitchell, golf great Bobby Jones, 27 Atlanta mayors, six former governors, and thousands of unmarked graves. Oakland Cemetery offers critical green space for recreation and serves as a cultural resource those who come to study history, art, architecture, archaeology, horticulture, photography and more. In partnership with the City of Atlanta, Historic Oakland Foundation works to preserve, restore, enhance and share Oakland Cemetery, which is open free of charge to the public 365 days a year (special fees for tours and events). Visit www.oaklandcemetery.com for more details. ",33.7469172125,33.749480087500004,-84.36922798625,-84.37320772375,33.748198650000006,-84.371217855,"3",{"_643":1182,"_645":1183,"_647":1184,"_649":1185,"_651":1186,"_653":1187},"From June 19 through July 11, Flux Projects and Historic Oakland Foundation present Charmaine Minniefield’s Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives in Oakland Cemetery. The work honors the over 800 unmarked graves within the African American Burial Grounds. Participants are invited to enter the Praise House and immerse themselves in the sounds and images of a Ring Shout. The Ring Shout is a traditional African American worship and gathering practice with origins in West African rituals and ceremonies. The Praise House is a replica of the small structures used as places of worship by enslaved people in the American South.

Artist Charmaine Minniefield’s work celebrates African-American women-led resistance, spirituality, and power, remembering their lives and actions as a form of resistance against erasure. For her work in Oakland Cemetery, she has created a “sanctuary of remembrance” for the 800+ individuals whose remains are unnamed. The project opens on Juneteenth (June 19), a nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It will run through July 11, 2021.

This digital tour includes information on Oakland residents, the history of the cemetery, and Historic Oakland Foundation's ongoing efforts to preserve Black narratives.",[1168,1169,1170,1171],"hybrid",[1161],"From June 19 through July 11, Flux Projects and Historic Oakland Foundation present Charmaine Minniefield’s Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives in Oakland Cemetery. The work honors the over 800 unmarked graves within the African American Burial Grounds. Participants are invited to enter the Praise House and immerse themselves in the sounds and images of a Ring Shout. The Ring Shout is a traditional African American worship and gathering practice with origins in West African rituals and ceremonies. The Praise House is a replica of the small structures used as places of worship by enslaved people in the American South. Artist Charmaine Minniefield’s work celebrates African-American women-led resistance, spirituality, and power, remembering their lives and actions as a form of resistance against erasure. For her work in Oakland Cemetery, she has created a “sanctuary of remembrance” for the 800+ individuals whose remains are unnamed. The project opens on Juneteenth (June 19), a nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It will run through July 11, 2021. This digital tour includes information on Oakland residents, the history of the cemetery, and Historic Oakland Foundation's ongoing efforts to preserve Black narratives.",{"_34":263,"_74":617},[1158,1159,1160],"7 minutes reading",{"_74":1156,"_132":-5,"_133":1157},"remembrance-as-resistance-preserving-black-narratives",[919],[926,927,928,929,930,931,932,933],"Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives","19 minutes walking",{"_34":85,"_74":86},[],{"_99":1136,"_100":23,"_101":-5,"_103":397,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":1137,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":397,"_113":1138,"_115":1139,"_40":-5,"_44":1140,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1141,"_64":1134,"_66":1142,"_62":1143,"_74":1135,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1144},{"_99":1110,"_100":35,"_101":1111,"_103":332,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":1112,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":332,"_113":1113,"_115":1114,"_40":-5,"_44":1115,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1116,"_64":1108,"_66":1117,"_62":1118,"_74":1109,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1119},{"_99":1089,"_100":264,"_101":1090,"_103":324,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":1091,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":324,"_113":1092,"_115":1093,"_40":-5,"_44":1094,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1095,"_64":1087,"_66":1096,"_62":1097,"_74":1088,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1098},{"_99":1069,"_100":263,"_101":1070,"_103":358,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":1071,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":358,"_113":1072,"_115":1073,"_40":-5,"_44":1074,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1075,"_64":1067,"_66":1076,"_62":1077,"_74":1068,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1078},{"_99":1035,"_100":272,"_101":1036,"_103":234,"_104":1037,"_106":-5,"_30":1038,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":234,"_113":1039,"_115":1040,"_40":-5,"_44":1041,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1042,"_64":1033,"_66":1043,"_62":1044,"_74":1034,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1045},{"_99":1013,"_100":379,"_101":1014,"_103":195,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":1015,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":195,"_113":1016,"_115":1017,"_40":-5,"_44":1018,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":1019,"_64":1011,"_66":1020,"_62":1021,"_74":1012,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":1022},{"_99":972,"_100":271,"_101":973,"_103":320,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":974,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":320,"_113":975,"_115":976,"_40":-5,"_44":977,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":978,"_64":970,"_66":979,"_62":980,"_74":971,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":981},{"_99":-5,"_100":303,"_101":934,"_103":237,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_30":935,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_111":112,"_34":237,"_113":936,"_115":937,"_40":-5,"_44":938,"_46":118,"_119":25,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_53":37,"_60":939,"_64":940,"_66":941,"_62":942,"_74":943,"_80":127,"_128":-5,"_129":-5,"_82":944},{"_34":320,"_64":970,"_74":971},"

Born in 1894, Jessie Murphy Wartman (1894-1980) found inspiration in the heavenly hymns and spirituals that filled her church during worship services. Music became her life's calling. Wartman earned a master’s degree in music from Atlanta University and then studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. She established the School of Musical Arts on Auburn Avenue and trained many of Atlanta's Black musicians, music teachers, and band directors. She founded and directed the Atlanta City Orchestra. In 1933, Wartman established the annual Atlanta Schools Music Festival, an annual event that featured a city-wide chorus of 1000 students.

Jessie Murphy Wartman returned to the church and served as an organist and choir director for Big Bethel A.M.E. Church. First founded in 1847 as Bethel Tabernacle, Big Bethel A.M.E. is the oldest African American congregation in Atlanta. The first two ministers, Reverend Joseph A. Woods and Bishop Wesley John Gaines, both rest at Oakland. The church provided a rare community gathering space for its earliest enslaved members. Big Bethel grew in prominence and membership during Reconstruction, eventually pulling in thousands of worshippers for services. The basement of its second church building even served as the first home to Morris Brown College.

Video: Big Bethel A.M.E.: 19th-century spirituals and a blessing from Pastor John Foster.

",33.74805136,-84.37075683,[949,950],"Born in 1894, Jessie Murphy Wartman (1894-1980) found inspiration in the heavenly hymns and spirituals that filled her church during worship services. Music became her life's calling. Wartman earned a master’s degree in music from Atlanta University and then studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. She established the School of Musical Arts on Auburn Avenue and trained many of Atlanta's Black musicians, music teachers, and band directors. She founded and directed the Atlanta City Orchestra. In 1933, Wartman established the annual Atlanta Schools Music Festival, an annual event that featured a city-wide chorus of 1000 students. Jessie Murphy Wartman returned to the church and served as an organist and choir director for Big Bethel A. M.E. Church. First founded in 1847 as Bethel Tabernacle, Big Bethel A. M.E. is the oldest African American congregation in Atlanta. The first two ministers, Reverend Joseph A. Woods and Bishop Wesley John Gaines, both rest at Oakland. The church provided a rare community gathering space for its earliest enslaved members. Big Bethel grew in prominence and membership during Reconstruction, eventually pulling in thousands of worshippers for services. The basement of its second church building even served as the first home to Morris Brown College. Video: Big Bethel A. M.E.: 19th-century spirituals and a blessing from Pastor John Foster.","jessie-murphy-wartman-and-big-bethel-a-m-e-church",[135,216,947,948,940],{"_74":945,"_132":118,"_133":946},"Jessie Murphy Wartman and Big Bethel A.M.E Church",[],"Big Bethel Church Song and Prayer","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/x5tklwb1kcbt59q8cvmhu9g7wq61?variant=desktop","jessie-murphy-wartman-and-big-bethel-ame","jessie-murphy-wartman-and-big-bethel-ame-need-media",{"_103":960,"_100":23,"_132":118,"_141":266,"_143":961,"_144":962,"_145":963,"_147":964,"_34":965,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":963,"_153":273,"_155":274,"_74":945,"_158":962},{"_103":456,"_100":35,"_132":951,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":952,"_147":953,"_34":954,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":952,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":951,"_158":-5},"Big Bethel A.M.E. Church","16226458470.jpeg",{"_159":955,"_161":956,"_163":957,"_165":958,"_167":959},40,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/f4avs4ce2mwyzf027rkif0v41vlf","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/f4avs4ce2mwyzf027rkif0v41vlf?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/f4avs4ce2mwyzf027rkif0v41vlf?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/f4avs4ce2mwyzf027rkif0v41vlf?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/f4avs4ce2mwyzf027rkif0v41vlf?variant=lqip",39,"//www.youtube.com/embed/Y5QHVoJuWpQ","Y5QHVoJuWpQ","Y5QHVoJuWpQ.jpg",{"_159":966,"_161":967,"_163":968,"_165":946,"_167":969},43,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/x5tklwb1kcbt59q8cvmhu9g7wq61","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/x5tklwb1kcbt59q8cvmhu9g7wq61?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/x5tklwb1kcbt59q8cvmhu9g7wq61?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/x5tklwb1kcbt59q8cvmhu9g7wq61?variant=lqip","minnie-askew-and-first-congregational-church","Minnie Askew and First Congregational Church",{"_34":237,"_64":940,"_74":943},{"_34":195,"_64":1011,"_74":1012},"A native Atlantan, Minnie Askew Davis (1875-1934) was the daughter of one of Atlanta’s earliest African American photographers, Thomas Askew, and Mary Sims. She married lawyer J. Robert Davis in 1892, and the couple had one child, Georgia. After her husband died in 1894, Minnie Askew Davis found work as a dressmaker. Dressmakers were the female equivalents of tailors. It was a respectable occupation that could provide a comfortable living for a young widow and single mother like Davis. Talented and fashionable, Minnie Askew Davis became a sought-after dressmaker to the “first families” of Atlanta.

Minnie Askew Davis was an active church worker at First Congregational Church, where she served as chair of the deaconess board. First Congregational Church is the second-oldest African-American Congregational Church in the United States. The church's first service was held on May 26, 1867.

Photo: Photographed by Thomas Askew (Minnie Askew's father), this image shows members of First Congregational Church posed outside of their brick church in 1899 or 1900.

Video: Behind-the-scenes footage of Malesha Jessie Taylor recording vocals for \"Resistance as Remembrance: Preserving Black Narratives\" at the historic First Congregational Church in Atlanta. ",33.74879208,-84.37038336,[988,989],"A native Atlantan, Minnie Askew Davis (1875-1934) was the daughter of one of Atlanta’s earliest African American photographers, Thomas Askew, and Mary Sims. She married lawyer J. Robert Davis in 1892, and the couple had one child, Georgia. After her husband died in 1894, Minnie Askew Davis found work as a dressmaker. Dressmakers were the female equivalents of tailors. It was a respectable occupation that could provide a comfortable living for a young widow and single mother like Davis. Talented and fashionable, Minnie Askew Davis became a sought-after dressmaker to the “first families” of Atlanta. Minnie Askew Davis was an active church worker at First Congregational Church, where she served as chair of the deaconess board. First Congregational Church is the second-oldest African-American Congregational Church in the United States. The church's first service was held on May 26, 1867.Photo: Photographed by Thomas Askew (Minnie Askew's father), this image shows members of First Congregational Church posed outside of their brick church in 1899 or 1900.Video: Behind-the-scenes footage of Malesha Jessie Taylor recording vocals for \"Resistance as Remembrance: Preserving Black Narratives\" at the historic First Congregational Church in Atlanta. ",[135,985,986,987,970],{"_74":982,"_132":983,"_133":984},[],"First Congregational Church in 1899 or 1900","Photographed by Thomas Askew, this image shows members of First Congregational Church posed outside of their brick church in 1899 or 1900.","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/nq6mlcdpxndw57l6xge0yd2ibm80?variant=desktop","big-bethel-ame","minnie-askew-and-first-congregational-church-need-text-and-media","minnie-askew-and-first-congregational-church-need-first-con-video",{"_103":519,"_100":23,"_132":983,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1004,"_147":1005,"_34":1006,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1004,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":982,"_158":-5},{"_103":990,"_100":35,"_132":991,"_141":992,"_143":993,"_144":994,"_145":995,"_147":996,"_34":695,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":995,"_153":997,"_155":274,"_74":998,"_158":994},42,"Malesha Jessie Taylor with Salah Ananse, collectively known as We Are Djeli, created the soundtrack for our upcoming project with Charmaine Minniefield, Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives.\n\nABOUT REMEMBRANCE AS RESISTANCE\n\nOpening to commemorate Juneteenth, Charmaine Minniefield’s Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives, honors the unmarked graves in Oakland’s historic African American Burial Grounds. The project celebrates the Ring Shout, a traditional African American worship and gathering practice, whose origins in West African ritual and ceremony predate slavery. Through this work Minniefield explores evidence of its survival in contemporary dance, music, and spoken word as a testament to the resilience of a people.",640,"//player.vimeo.com/video/558850376","558850376","558850376.jpg",{"_159":999,"_161":1000,"_163":1001,"_165":1002,"_167":1003},"vimeo","Malesha Jessie Taylor's Sound Check","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6actkv9vzt7b1mmqdaob3uradlgj","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6actkv9vzt7b1mmqdaob3uradlgj?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6actkv9vzt7b1mmqdaob3uradlgj?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6actkv9vzt7b1mmqdaob3uradlgj?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6actkv9vzt7b1mmqdaob3uradlgj?variant=lqip","16226507263.jpeg",{"_159":1007,"_161":1008,"_163":1009,"_165":984,"_167":1010},41,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/nq6mlcdpxndw57l6xge0yd2ibm80","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/nq6mlcdpxndw57l6xge0yd2ibm80?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/nq6mlcdpxndw57l6xge0yd2ibm80?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/nq6mlcdpxndw57l6xge0yd2ibm80?variant=lqip","preserving-black-narratives","Preserving Black Narratives",{"_34":320,"_64":970,"_74":971},{"_34":234,"_64":1033,"_74":1034},"Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to prevent the erasure of historical narratives through equitable interpretation and comprehensive storytelling. Various restoration and programmatic efforts are underway to share the whole history of Atlanta, including ongoing work to match burial records with unmarked graves in the African American Burial Grounds.

An upcoming project is the digitization and sharing of the burial records of the original residents of Slave Square. Historic Oakland Foundation aims to create an online database for the Slave Square burial records. This will require deciphering and digitizing the handwritten records. Staff will cross-reference existing census and other historical records to complete narrative gaps. When completed, the database will be uploaded and made available to the public at no cost.

The photo shows the first page of the Slave Square burial records and lists interred residents from February 1853 to February 1854. From left to right, the columns list date of death, name, age, birth place, cause of death, and burial location. Discover the Slave Square burial records here.

By sharing the history of Slave Square's original residents, Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to preserve existing Black narratives and prevent the erasure of Oakland residents. Connect with Historic Oakland Foundation to share your family history and help us complete our records! Discover more about your family narrative by accessing the following research centers:

Auburn Avenue Research Library

Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory University

Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library

Slave Voyages",33.74791277,-84.37275642,[1025],"Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to prevent the erasure of historical narratives through equitable interpretation and comprehensive storytelling. Various restoration and programmatic efforts are underway to share the whole history of Atlanta, including ongoing work to match burial records with unmarked graves in the African American Burial Grounds. An upcoming project is the digitization and sharing of the burial records of the original residents of Slave Square. Historic Oakland Foundation aims to create an online database for the Slave Square burial records. This will require deciphering and digitizing the handwritten records. Staff will cross-reference existing census and other historical records to complete narrative gaps. When completed, the database will be uploaded and made available to the public at no cost. The photo shows the first page of the Slave Square burial records and lists interred residents from February 1853 to February 1854. From left to right, the columns list date of death, name, age, birth place, cause of death, and burial location. Discover the Slave Square burial records here. By sharing the history of Slave Square's original residents, Historic Oakland Foundation seeks to preserve existing Black narratives and prevent the erasure of Oakland residents. Connect with Historic Oakland Foundation to share your family history and help us complete our records! Discover more about your family narrative by accessing the following research centers: Auburn Avenue Research LibraryStuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory UniversityAtlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff LibrarySlave Voyages",[135,1011],{"_74":1023,"_132":-5,"_133":1024},[],"Slave Square Burial Records from February 1853 to February 1854.jpg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68dpulzi1cb01qlrfmvs067t1roi?variant=desktop",{"_103":1026,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1027,"_147":1028,"_34":868,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1027,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1023,"_158":-5},45,"16230807255.jpeg",{"_159":1029,"_161":1030,"_163":1031,"_165":1024,"_167":1032},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68dpulzi1cb01qlrfmvs067t1roi","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68dpulzi1cb01qlrfmvs067t1roi?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68dpulzi1cb01qlrfmvs067t1roi?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/68dpulzi1cb01qlrfmvs067t1roi?variant=lqip","identifying-the-800","Identifying the 800",{"_34":195,"_64":1011,"_74":1012},{"_34":358,"_64":1067,"_74":1068},"183-191 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA","

In 2016, Historic Oakland Foundation partnered with Atlanta-based remote sensing firm Bigman Geophysical to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to locate unmarked burials within the African American Burial Grounds. GPR allows users to “see” what is under the ground via radio waves without having to dig into the ground and potentially disturb graves. The result of the survey found some 872 probable unmarked burials.

Why were these gravesites unmarked? There are several possible explanations. Historic African American burial traditions used natural markers like trees, shrubs, or wooden crosses to mark a grave. Those natural markers deteriorated over the years, leaving much of the African American Burial Grounds bereft of headstones or other visual markers.

The graves could have also been unmarked from burial. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal and reburial of the remains of more than 800 men, women, and children from an area known as Slave Square. From Oakland's founding in 1850 until the opening of the African American Burial Grounds in 1866, Slave Square was the only space where African Americans could be buried in Oakland. The remains of more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.\" The Slave Square lots were resold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50.

Learn more about Historic Oakland Foundation efforts to identify unmarked graves here.

Photo: Flags mark the locations of 872 unmarked graves in 2016.

Photo: Burial abstract showing two burials whose locations are unknown.

",33.7486614,-84.37004739,[1050,1051],"In 2016, Historic Oakland Foundation partnered with Atlanta-based remote sensing firm Bigman Geophysical to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to locate unmarked burials within the African American Burial Grounds. GPR allows users to “see” what is under the ground via radio waves without having to dig into the ground and potentially disturb graves. The result of the survey found some 872 probable unmarked burials. Why were these gravesites unmarked? There are several possible explanations. Historic African American burial traditions used natural markers like trees, shrubs, or wooden crosses to mark a grave. Those natural markers deteriorated over the years, leaving much of the African American Burial Grounds bereft of headstones or other visual markers. The graves could have also been unmarked from burial. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal and reburial of the remains of more than 800 men, women, and children from an area known as Slave Square. From Oakland's founding in 1850 until the opening of the African American Burial Grounds in 1866, Slave Square was the only space where African Americans could be buried in Oakland. The remains of more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.\" The Slave Square lots were resold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50. Learn more about Historic Oakland Foundation efforts to identify unmarked graves here. Photo: Flags mark the locations of 872 unmarked graves in 2016. Photo: Burial abstract showing two burials whose locations are unknown. ",[135,603,1048,1049,1033],{"_74":1046,"_132":-5,"_133":1047},[],"African-American-flags-web.jpeg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/pw6rm0ymixpo160gag6v8j7ljd59?variant=desktop","ongoing-efforts-to-preserve-black-narratives","honoring-the-800",{"_103":954,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1060,"_147":1061,"_34":1062,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1060,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1046,"_158":-5},{"_103":1006,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1052,"_147":1053,"_34":1026,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1052,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1054,"_158":-5},"16227556407.jpeg",{"_159":1055,"_161":1056,"_163":1057,"_165":1058,"_167":1059},"AA-abstract.jpeg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/06wdy56652ph5eq88ne78iqgzzsv","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/06wdy56652ph5eq88ne78iqgzzsv?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/06wdy56652ph5eq88ne78iqgzzsv?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/06wdy56652ph5eq88ne78iqgzzsv?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/06wdy56652ph5eq88ne78iqgzzsv?variant=lqip","16227555522.jpeg",{"_159":1063,"_161":1064,"_163":1065,"_165":1047,"_167":1066},44,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/pw6rm0ymixpo160gag6v8j7ljd59","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/pw6rm0ymixpo160gag6v8j7ljd59?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/pw6rm0ymixpo160gag6v8j7ljd59?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/pw6rm0ymixpo160gag6v8j7ljd59?variant=lqip","historic-african-american-burial-grounds","Historic African American Burial Grounds ",{"_34":234,"_64":1033,"_74":1034},{"_34":324,"_64":1087,"_74":1088},"This 3.5-acre section of Oakland opened in 1866 for African Americans to purchase burial space. According to burial records, more than 12,000 African Americans are buried in Oakland. But look around – do you see 12,000 markers? Many African Americans used trees, shrubs, or wooden crosses to mark a burial site. Those natural markers deteriorated over the years. From 1866 until 1963, Black Atlantans could only buy burial plots in this section.

As people were racially segregated in daily life – in education, business, leisure, and worship – so were they kept apart in death in cemeteries across the nation. The racial segregation of burials continued in Oakland until 1963 when all public parks and facilities desegregated in Atlanta.

Today, the African American Burial Grounds is a space to celebrate Black achievement and honor the struggle for Black liberation. This burial section is home to numerous men and women who shaped the City of Atlanta, including:

William Finch: First Black man elected to the Atlanta City Council and known as the \"Father of Black Education\" in Atlanta
James Tate: An entrepreneur, minister, and civic leader who opened Atlanta's first Black-owned business, a grocery store
Marie Woolfolk Taylor: Co-founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Greek-letter organization founded by and for Black women
Carrie Steele Logan: A formerly-enslaved woman who established the first African American orphanage (The Carrie Steele-Pitts Home) in Atlanta
Selena Sloan Butler: Founder of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association, Co-founder of the National Parents-Teachers Association
Bishop Wesley John Gaines: Second pastor at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church and co-founder of Morris Brown College
Henry Rucker: Black political boss appointed as the state’s Collector of Internal Revenue by President William McKinley in 1896

Video: Historic Oakland Foundation volunteer Jihan Hurse tours the African American Burial Grounds.

",33.74807578,-84.37109345,[1080],"This 3.5-acre section of Oakland opened in 1866 for African Americans to purchase burial space. According to burial records, more than 12,000 African Americans are buried in Oakland. But look around – do you see 12,000 markers? Many African Americans used trees, shrubs, or wooden crosses to mark a burial site. Those natural markers deteriorated over the years. From 1866 until 1963, Black Atlantans could only buy burial plots in this section. As people were racially segregated in daily life – in education, business, leisure, and worship – so were they kept apart in death in cemeteries across the nation. The racial segregation of burials continued in Oakland until 1963 when all public parks and facilities desegregated in Atlanta. Today, the African American Burial Grounds is a space to celebrate Black achievement and honor the struggle for Black liberation. This burial section is home to numerous men and women who shaped the City of Atlanta, including:William Finch: First Black man elected to the Atlanta City Council and known as the \"Father of Black Education\" in Atlanta James Tate: An entrepreneur, minister, and civic leader who opened Atlanta's first Black-owned business, a grocery store Marie Woolfolk Taylor: Co-founder of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Greek-letter organization founded by and for Black womenCarrie Steele Logan: A formerly-enslaved woman who established the first African American orphanage (The Carrie Steele-Pitts Home) in AtlantaSelena Sloan Butler: Founder of the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers Association, Co-founder of the National Parents-Teachers AssociationBishop Wesley John Gaines: Second pastor at Big Bethel A. M.E. Church and co-founder of Morris Brown College Henry Rucker: Black political boss appointed as the state’s Collector of Internal Revenue by President William McKinley in 1896Video: Historic Oakland Foundation volunteer Jihan Hurse tours the African American Burial Grounds. ",[135,1067],{"_74":611,"_132":612,"_133":1079},[],"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ljkvfpzhyhqkyufribuicfzan9at?variant=desktop",{"_103":480,"_100":23,"_132":612,"_141":266,"_143":621,"_144":622,"_145":623,"_147":1081,"_34":1082,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":623,"_153":273,"_155":274,"_74":611,"_158":622},{"_159":1083,"_161":1084,"_163":1085,"_165":1079,"_167":1086},38,"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ljkvfpzhyhqkyufribuicfzan9at","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ljkvfpzhyhqkyufribuicfzan9at?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ljkvfpzhyhqkyufribuicfzan9at?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ljkvfpzhyhqkyufribuicfzan9at?variant=lqip","oakland-s-first-black-residents","Oakland's First Black Residents ",{"_34":358,"_64":1067,"_74":1068},{"_34":332,"_64":1108,"_74":1109},"In 1850, Atlanta leaders traveled to the city outskirts to purchase land for a municipal cemetery. Alfred W. Wooding, a farmer and an enslaver, sold six acres of land for $75 each to the new city government. Occupying the southwest corner of the cemetery's current footprint, this section is known as the Original Six Acres.

After Oakland's founding, the Atlanta City Council set aside the northeast corner of the six-acre grounds for the burial of African Americans. This section came to be known as Slave Square. A 14-year-old boy named John was the first person to be buried in Slave Square in February 1853. By the start of the Civil War, more than 800 men, women, and children were buried in Slave Square.

Oakland reached its current size of 48 acres by 1867. Occupying a central area and located on a hill, Slave Square was considered a desirable burial space. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal of the bodies from Slave Square to make room for more burials. The remains of John and more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.” After the Sexton prepared the ground for new burials, the Slave Square lots were sold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50.

Many people are fearful of disturbing the resting places of the dead, but history tells us that’s what happened at Slave Square in 1877.

Photo: An interpretive panel in Slave Square.",33.74798688,-84.37274569,[1101],"In 1850, Atlanta leaders traveled to the city outskirts to purchase land for a municipal cemetery. Alfred W. Wooding, a farmer and an enslaver, sold six acres of land for $75 each to the new city government. Occupying the southwest corner of the cemetery's current footprint, this section is known as the Original Six Acres. After Oakland's founding, the Atlanta City Council set aside the northeast corner of the six-acre grounds for the burial of African Americans. This section came to be known as Slave Square. A 14-year-old boy named John was the first person to be buried in Slave Square in February 1853. By the start of the Civil War, more than 800 men, women, and children were buried in Slave Square. Oakland reached its current size of 48 acres by 1867. Occupying a central area and located on a hill, Slave Square was considered a desirable burial space. In 1877, the Atlanta City Council ordered the removal of the bodies from Slave Square to make room for more burials. The remains of John and more than 800 individuals were disinterred from Slave Square and moved to the “colored pauper grounds.” After the Sexton prepared the ground for new burials, the Slave Square lots were sold to White Atlantans for a minimum purchase price of $50.Many people are fearful of disturbing the resting places of the dead, but history tells us that’s what happened at Slave Square in 1877.Photo: An interpretive panel in Slave Square.",[135,603,1087],{"_74":1099,"_132":-5,"_133":1100},[],"Slave Square panel","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/sj4huz790kob2osvk20q6oao2fc9?variant=desktop",{"_103":1062,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1102,"_147":1103,"_34":759,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1102,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1099,"_158":-5},"16230786170.jpeg",{"_159":1104,"_161":1105,"_163":1106,"_165":1100,"_167":1107},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/sj4huz790kob2osvk20q6oao2fc9","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/sj4huz790kob2osvk20q6oao2fc9?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/sj4huz790kob2osvk20q6oao2fc9?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/sj4huz790kob2osvk20q6oao2fc9?variant=lqip","the-ring-shout","The Ring Shout",{"_34":324,"_64":1087,"_74":1088},{"_34":397,"_64":1134,"_74":1135},"

The Ring Shout is a traditional African American worship and gathering practice with origins in West African ritual and ceremony. The practice was reborn during enslavement in the South in resistance to laws prohibiting those enslaved from gathering, except for worship, and forbidding any form of cultural expression, including drumming. In response, those enslaved created praise houses throughout the Southeast. As an act of resistance, congregants gathered in circle to stomp or shout (full body rhythmic movement) upon the wooden floors, ultimately creating a communal drum, secretly preserving traditions.

In 2019, the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters performed a Ring Shout in the historic African American Burial Grounds as part of Oakland Cemetery's annual Juneteenth celebrations. The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters are one of the world’s top performing artists of the Geechee Gullah culture. All performers are descendants of enslaved Africans, offering history and heritage presentation of African-American culture from slavery in an effort to continue the traditions of their ancestors.

Charmaine Minniefield: “The opportunity to share the performance work of the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters within the embrace of this project is an honor. In recent years, my work has focused on remembrance and re-imagining the Ring Shout; I see this African-American worship tradition as a doorway into the past, bringing forward the spiritual practices of ancestors gone before to remember those forgotten.”

Video: The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters perform in Oakland Cemetery's African American Burial Grounds for Juneteenth 2019.

",33.74828988,-84.37052482,[1125],"The Ring Shout is a traditional African American worship and gathering practice with origins in West African ritual and ceremony. The practice was reborn during enslavement in the South in resistance to laws prohibiting those enslaved from gathering, except for worship, and forbidding any form of cultural expression, including drumming. In response, those enslaved created praise houses throughout the Southeast. As an act of resistance, congregants gathered in circle to stomp or shout (full body rhythmic movement) upon the wooden floors, ultimately creating a communal drum, secretly preserving traditions. In 2019, the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters performed a Ring Shout in the historic African American Burial Grounds as part of Oakland Cemetery's annual Juneteenth celebrations. The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters are one of the world’s top performing artists of the Geechee Gullah culture. All performers are descendants of enslaved Africans, offering history and heritage presentation of African-American culture from slavery in an effort to continue the traditions of their ancestors. Charmaine Minniefield: “The opportunity to share the performance work of the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters within the embrace of this project is an honor. In recent years, my work has focused on remembrance and re-imagining the Ring Shout; I see this African-American worship tradition as a doorway into the past, bringing forward the spiritual practices of ancestors gone before to remember those forgotten.”Video: The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters perform in Oakland Cemetery's African American Burial Grounds for Juneteenth 2019. ",[135,1123,1124,1108],{"_74":1120,"_132":1121,"_133":1122},[],"Georgia Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters","Flux Projects presented the Georgia Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters in Oakand Cemetery on Juneteenth 2019. The event, which was offered in conjunction with the cemetery's Juneenth celebrations, kicked off our current project with Charmaine Minniefield, Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives. \n\nThis project was scheduled to culminate Juneteenth 2020 with a multimedia installation of a Praise House in the newly restored African American Grounds of Oakland Cemetery. Because of COVID-19, the physical installation has been postponed until 2021. We are celebrating this year virtually. For a list of programs, visit: https://fluxprojects.org/productions/remembrance-as-resistance-preserving-black-narratives/","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/8afoweb512igyemc52ildw9w36sm?variant=desktop","gullah-geechee","georgia-geechee-gullah-ring-shouters",{"_103":467,"_100":23,"_132":1121,"_141":992,"_143":1126,"_144":1127,"_145":1128,"_147":1129,"_34":960,"_149":272,"_150":151,"_152":1128,"_153":997,"_155":274,"_74":1120,"_158":1127},"//player.vimeo.com/video/430570131","430570131","430570131.jpg",{"_159":1130,"_161":1131,"_163":1132,"_165":1122,"_167":1133},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/8afoweb512igyemc52ildw9w36sm","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/8afoweb512igyemc52ildw9w36sm?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/8afoweb512igyemc52ildw9w36sm?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/8afoweb512igyemc52ildw9w36sm?variant=lqip","the-praise-house","The Praise House",{"_34":332,"_64":1108,"_74":1109},"Charmaine Minniefield's project features a recreation of a historic praise house, a small structure (a barn or shack, usually constructed of wood) used for worship throughout the Southeast. Enslaved men and women gathered in praise houses to worship and socialize. They did so in defiance of laws that prohibited those enslaved from gathering, except for worship, and forbid any form of cultural expression. These laws were imposed to systematically dismantle communication, and ultimately, community. It is believed that praise houses were precursors to the first Black churches in the Western world.

Constructed by C.D. Moody Construction, the recreated Praise House sits in the historic African American Burial Grounds. Although the Praise House is located on unoccupied land, more than 12,000 Black Atlantans rest in 3.5-acre African American Burial Grounds.

Photo: A rare image from the early 1900s of a praise house on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Photo 1042a in the Penn School Papers #3615, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.",33.74835755,-84.37069112,[1149],"Charmaine Minniefield's project features a recreation of a historic praise house, a small structure (a barn or shack, usually constructed of wood) used for worship throughout the Southeast. Enslaved men and women gathered in praise houses to worship and socialize. They did so in defiance of laws that prohibited those enslaved from gathering, except for worship, and forbid any form of cultural expression. These laws were imposed to systematically dismantle communication, and ultimately, community. It is believed that praise houses were precursors to the first Black churches in the Western world. Constructed by C. D. Moody Construction, the recreated Praise House sits in the historic African American Burial Grounds. Although the Praise House is located on unoccupied land, more than 12,000 Black Atlantans rest in 3.5-acre African American Burial Grounds. Photo: A rare image from the early 1900s of a praise house on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Photo 1042a in the Penn School Papers #3615, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.",[135,1147,1134,1148],{"_74":1145,"_132":-5,"_133":1146},[],"Praise House 1900s.jpeg","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ib306tbs8qlq72m3y0pg7nzdx6gp?variant=desktop","praise-house","the-praise-house-needs-image",{"_103":965,"_100":23,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1150,"_147":1151,"_34":771,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1150,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1145,"_158":-5},"16230774409.jpeg",{"_159":1152,"_161":1153,"_163":1154,"_165":1146,"_167":1155},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ib306tbs8qlq72m3y0pg7nzdx6gp","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ib306tbs8qlq72m3y0pg7nzdx6gp?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ib306tbs8qlq72m3y0pg7nzdx6gp?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/ib306tbs8qlq72m3y0pg7nzdx6gp?variant=lqip","Artist Charmaine Minniefield","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6x2z9e5smad774fhyoep34n45bbc?variant=desktop",{"_103":245,"_34":23,"_74":619},{"_103":169,"_34":35,"_74":618},{"_103":69,"_34":263,"_74":617},{"_103":272,"_100":35,"_132":-5,"_141":142,"_143":-5,"_144":-5,"_145":1162,"_147":1163,"_34":832,"_149":-5,"_150":151,"_152":1162,"_153":154,"_155":156,"_74":1156,"_158":-5},"16230817884.jpeg",{"_159":1164,"_161":1165,"_163":1166,"_165":1157,"_167":1167},"https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6x2z9e5smad774fhyoep34n45bbc","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6x2z9e5smad774fhyoep34n45bbc?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6x2z9e5smad774fhyoep34n45bbc?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/oakland-cemetery/v4/public/media/6x2z9e5smad774fhyoep34n45bbc?variant=lqip",{"_100":23,"_103":271,"_34":379,"_74":1179,"_64":1180,"_634":1181,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":35,"_103":303,"_34":271,"_74":640,"_64":641,"_634":1178,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":263,"_103":69,"_34":140,"_74":1175,"_64":1176,"_634":1177,"_119":25,"_636":23},{"_100":263,"_103":375,"_34":69,"_74":1172,"_64":1173,"_634":1174,"_119":25,"_636":23},"Credits","credits","Presented by
Flux Projects\n

In Partnership with \n
Historic Oakland Foundation\n \n

Lead Artist\n
Charmaine Minniefield

Videographer
Kimberly Binns\n \n

Music\n
Malesha Jessie Taylor & Salah Ananse, AKA We\nAre Djeli\n \n

Sound Production
Santiago Páramo\n \n

Collaborator\n
Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, & Rare\nBook Library at Emory University\n \n

Architect\n
Point Office Architecture & Design\n \n

Structural\nEngineer
SHEAR Structural\n \n

Contractor\n
C. D. Moody Construction\n

Major\nfunding provided by\n
Mailchimp\n
City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural\nAffairs\n
Georgia-Pacific\n
National Black Arts\nNational Endowment for the Arts\n \n

Lead\nSponsors\n
Andrew & Margaret Bailey\n
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Molly Blank Fund\n
City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural\nAffairs\n
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta\n
EMSA Fund\n
Fulton County Arts & Culture\n
Georgia Council for the Arts\n
Georgia-Pacific\n
The Imlay Foundation\n
LUBO Fund\n
Momar\n
Tim & Lauren Schrager Family Foundation\n

In-Kind\nSponsors\n
GOMEZ
Six Feet Under
The UltraMind, Inc.

","About Flux Projects","about-flux-projects","Founded in 2009, Flux Projects connects community through innovative\npublic art that is free for all to experience. From compelling video and immersive performances to\nmultimedia and experimental sound art, Flux Projects presents works by\nexceptional artists and curators, engaging our shared public spaces and transforming the\nexperience of contemporary art for thousands each year.\n \n

Transcending walls and traditional venues, Flux\nProjects places art in parks, neighborhoods, historic buildings, and other\nsurprising places around Atlanta. To\nexpand the conversation around public art, Flux Projects also presents dynamic\nprogramming that includes podcasts, films, and lectures with acclaimed visiting\nartists and curators.\n \n

Flux Projects gives art the space to\ntransform. Visit fluxprojects.org to discover more!","Founded in 1850, Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery spans 48 acres of gardens, wildlife, and sculpture. Oakland is the final resting place for 70,000 people, including author Margaret Mitchell, golf great Bobby Jones, 27 Atlanta mayors, six former governors, and thousands of unmarked graves. Oakland Cemetery offers critical green space for recreation and serves as a cultural resource those who come to study history, art, architecture, archaeology, horticulture, photography and more. In partnership with the City of Atlanta, Historic Oakland Foundation works to preserve, restore, enhance and share Oakland Cemetery, which is open free of charge to the public 365 days a year (special fees for tours and events). Visit www.oaklandcemetery.com for more details.","About Charmaine Minniefield","about-charmaine-minniefield","The work of artist-activist, Charmaine Minniefield preserves Black narratives as a radical act of social justice. Firmly rooted in womanist social theory and ancestral veneration, her work draws from indigenous traditions as seen throughout Africa and the Diaspora, to explore African and African-American history, memory, and ritual as an intentional push back against erasure. Her creative practice is community-based as her research and resulting bodies of work often draw from the physical archives as she excavates the stories of African-American women-led resistance and spirituality and power.

Minniefield’s recent public works, which include projection mapping and site-specific installation, insight dialogue around race, class, and power. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, she incorporates other art forms to virtually bridge the past to the present. Recent projects include the mounting of “Remembrance as Resistance” during the 2018 Symposium on Race and Reconciliation presented by her alma mater, Agnes Scott College, which opened with the removal of two Confederate monuments from campus grounds and closed with the work as backdrop for the closing talk by Alice Walker on art and activism.

Minniefield’s work is featured in a number of public and private collections, and as a muralist, her walls can be seen throughout the City of Atlanta and beyond. She was honored by Mercedes Benz as a part of their Greatness Lives Here campaign. She is featured in the 2020 US Census commercial with her recent mural in Brooklyn depicting women who shaped the future. Minniefield recently served as the Stuart A. Rose Library artist-in-residence at Emory through a collaboration with Flux Projects",33.74780285625,33.74890199375,-84.36970876125,-84.37309504875,33.748352425,-84.371401905,"external_url","footer_logo","name","logo_url","notes","subdir","tourSet",{"_34":1202,"_80":1203,"_1204":1205,"_1206":1207},"request",{"_1198":1199,"_1200":1201},"protocol","http","host","oakland-cemetery.opentour.site","31","tour_sets","attributes",{"_1190":73,"_1193":10,"_1212":1213,"_1214":1215,"_1191":-5,"_1216":1217},"relationships",{"_1208":1209},"admins",{"_1210":1211},"data",[],"published_tours",[1233,1234,1235],"mapable_tours",[1226,1227,1228],"logo",{"_1190":1216,"_1218":1219},"record",{"_34":463,"_1190":73,"_1220":1221,"_1222":1221,"_1193":10,"_1223":-5,"_1188":-5,"_1192":-5,"_1189":-5,"_1224":-5,"_1225":-5,"_30":-5},"created_at","2021-01-20T15:37:25.059Z","updated_at","tour_id","base_sixty_four","logo_title",{"_74":668,"_64":665,"_1229":1232},{"_74":75,"_64":65,"_1229":1231},{"_74":922,"_64":919,"_1229":1230},"center",{"_113":1186,"_115":1187},{"_113":652,"_115":654},{"_113":906,"_115":907},{"_74":668,"_64":665,"_1236":1239},{"_74":75,"_64":65,"_1236":1238},{"_74":922,"_64":919,"_1236":1237},"location",{"_113":1186,"_115":1187},{"_113":652,"_115":654},{"_113":906,"_115":907}]