YPSILANTI, Mich. – Woodlawn Cemetery, a historically Black burial ground long abandoned and overgrown, is getting a second chance through a dedicated restoration effort.
Background: Historic Black cemetery abandoned for 60 years in Washtenaw County to be restored
Volunteers and community partners have cleared much of the thick undergrowth that once hid the Ypsilanti cemetery, slowly uncovering more burial plots.
Nearly 200 people are believed to be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.
“It is a cemetery founded by Rev. Garther Roberson Sr. and he founded this and established this cemetery in 1946 because there were not adequate places for Black people to be buried in Washtenaw County,” said Dr. Debby Covington, president and chair of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County and co-lead on the project.
For decades, the stories of those buried here went undocumented and forgotten.
“They just cover you up and forget about you,” said Randall Luten, whose uncle is buried at Woodlawn. “That ain’t right.”
The cemetery was abandoned in the 1960s and fell into disrepair over time. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, much of the area has been cleaned.
“When you look around, you can still see some large trees, but a lot of the undergrowth we had to remove,” said Kat Slocum, an archaeologist and co-lead on the project.
Despite progress, much work remains, especially in identifying the exact locations of gravesites.
Ground-penetrating radar is playing a key role in this effort.
“It’s entirely noninvasive, so we can identify places where people may have been buried without actually disturbing the soil,” said Dr. Alexander Corkum of Terracon Consultants.
For family members like Randall Luten, the restoration brings hope that they will one day honor their loved ones properly.
“It’s going to mean a lot. It’s going to be really exciting to know where he is. I know he’s out here, but the location,” Luten said.
Those with relatives buried at Woodlawn Cemetery or who believe someone may be buried there are encouraged to reach out and learn more about the restoration project.