DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Relatives of those interred at Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens, a historic African American cemetery in Dinwiddie County, are calling for assistance following years of disregard.
Located in the far southwestern region of Dinwiddie County, you’ll discover vast fields and towering trees that appear to reach the heavens. It’s only during a brief stroll through Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens that you understand the land serves more than just the living.
8News interviewed Bruce Robinson, as his great-great-grandfather William Christopher is interred at the cemetery with other relatives.
“He was born in 1839, and in 1865 he became a free man, living until 1929,” Robinson stated.
Although Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens is his final resting place, it was not the initial one. His remains were among nearly 1,500 Black Virginians who were reinterred at this location.
This choice was reached following the federal government’s purchase of over 45,000 acres in sections of Dinwiddie and neighboring regions to establish Camp Pickett. The location served as a training facility during World War II and is currently referred to as Fort Barfoot.
As stated by Dinwiddie County, the cemetery was entrusted to the care of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Wainwright in March 1942. At that time, five trustees were named by the Circuit Court.
Within a distance of less than three miles from Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens, you can locate Butterwood United Methodist Church. This location is where the remains of individuals of European descent were reinterred. A distinct trustee committee was established to manage this particular site.
Following concerns about neglect in the early 2000s, Dinwiddie County selected five new trustees to assume control of the board and manage the cemetery. The county reports that two of the five trustees are still alive, while the others have passed away or their current locations are unknown — making significant repairs such as filling sunken graves and trimming trees challenging to carry out.
“This is a visual depiction of some of the items in the collection that start to accumulate on these graves,” Robinson stated.
After discovering their link to the location during a family gathering in 2019, Robinson and his cousin Diane Christopher took the lead in the restoration project.
In 2023, Robinson mentions that his family began organizing cleanups, bringing together soldiers and local volunteers from Central Virginia to remove brush and tree branches.
Although their work enhanced the website, Robinson and Christopher mention that they contacted local and federal officials for additional assistance but were not given the support they required.
“Their heart extends to the families and particularly those individuals who are interred here,” said Kevin Massengill, the Dinwiddie County Administrator.
8News interviewed Dinwiddie’s County Administrator regarding their worries. Although the county does not possess the property, Massengill mentioned that the county has collaborated with Christopher to tackle the neglect.
“Regardless of how we can assist both the family and the community in establishing these trustees — we consider this our core responsibility,” Massengill stated.
Massengill also mentioned that most cemeteries in the county are privately operated and do not get public funding. This applies to Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens as well — since the location is privately owned, Massengill stated that having a complete trustee board to ensure proper management is crucial. This is a duty of the county, which they say is a priority.
One week following 8News’s conversation with Massengill, the county stated they have contacted five potential trustee board members, who are now awaiting formal appointment.
Federal officials stated they are also providing their backing. A representative from Senator Kaine’s office provided 8News with the following statement:
Important historical burial sites for African Americans are essential for comprehending our country’s past and should be protected. I am pleased that Virginia has made efforts to safeguard these locations, and I am honored to have co-sponsored and supported the passage of the African-American Burial Grounds Preservation Act, which allowed the National Park Service to create a funding program aimed at preserving historic African American cemeteries.
8News has subsequently linked the Robison family with federal officials to explore financial assistance options.
In the meantime, Robinson mentioned that he and his family will keep working to make sure Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens remains a respectful final home for their loved ones and others.
“What I would have characterized as an unacceptable shame. But now it’s a work in progress that can be handled,” Robinson stated.
For individuals interested in volunteering and participating in cleanup initiatives, send an email to[email protected] for more information.
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