Free Talk on Rye's African American Cemetery

On Sunday, September 10 at 5:30 pm, David Thomas, Founder of the Friends of the African American Cemetery, will give a talk about the current state of the efforts to preserve this National Historic Register site. The event takes place at and is co-sponsored by the Jay Heritage Center, located at 210 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York 10580. It is free to the public. Seating is limited.

Learn how ongoing genealogical research is expanding an understanding of the families that are buried there and their place in the narrative of Westchester's history. Follow a journey to trace and link the Purdy family of Harrison and Rye to two generations of an emancipated family at the Jay Estate. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

The cemetery is adjacent to the Greenwood Union Cemetery, located at 215 North Street in Rye. The one acre parcel was donated by the Halsted family 150 years ago with the condition that it “shall forever hereafter kept, held and used for the purpose of a cemetery or burial place for the colored inhabitants of the said Town of Rye, and its vicinity free and clear of any charge therefor…”

Over the years the importance of this special cemetery in the history of the community and nation has been recognized as it is listed on the National, New York State and Westchester County Registers of Historic Places. After years of neglect the cemetery had run into disrepair. Some of the stones had toppled over while others were simply worn away. In 2010, the Town of Rye, Port Chester/Rye branch of the NAACP, Building Community Bridges (BCB), and the American Legion Post #93, formed an ad hoc committee to help raise awareness of the cemetery and restore the stones and clean away the overgrowth.

In 2016, vandals stripped the cloth portion of the American flags from the sticks supporting the flags that had been placed at the headstones of veterans. The community came together there for Memorial Day services that year in a show of support. No one was held accountable for committing the desecration.

A Go Fund Me page has been established for anyone wishing to make a donation to the Friends of the African American Cemetery. Proceeds will be used to improve access to the cemetery, conduct research, clean headstones and to essentially make the cemetery a place for learning and contemplation. Friends of the African American Cemetery is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations may also be mailed to, Friends of the African American Cemetery, 420 Elm Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. Make checks payable to Friends of the African American Cemetery.

For more information call 914-698-9275.