NRHP Reference # 08000245 Designated VLR December 5, 2007 Year built 1840 | VLR # 123-5031-0001 Area 3 ha Added to NRHP 28 March 2008 | |
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Location 334 S. Crater Rd., Petersburg, Virginia MPS African-American Cemeteries in Petersburg, Virginia MPS | ||
People's Memorial Cemetery, formerly known as Providence Cemetery, is a historic African-American cemetery located at Petersburg, Virginia. The cemetery was deeded in three sections: the first tract in 1840, the second tract was added in 1865, and the final acres were deeded about 1880. The cemetery reflects the organization of “free persons of color” and is evidence of the evolution of the entrepreneurial efforts of African-American undertakers and stonecutters; the activities of mutual aid societies; and the community’s social, religious, and artistic values from 1840 to 1942.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.
The cemetery is located adjacent to the Blandford Cemetery and portions of the grounds were part of the Negro Burying Ground, a cemetery for slaves that died during the War of 1812.