Preserving African American Cemeteries in South Carolina

Preserving African American Cemeteries

Cemetaries

About This Resource

Cemeteries are essential historical repositories, encapsulating the legacies of generations. In South Carolina, African American burial grounds and cemeteries are of immense cultural and historical significance, yet have too often been neglected and not prioritized in preservation work. As resting places for our ancestors, African American cemeteries deserve to be preserved with integrity and respect.
Within this Cemeteries topic page you will find resources curated from across the SC Preservation Toolkit related specifically to African American cemetery preservation. Whether you are new to this work or a long-time advocate, this page’s blog posts on cemeteries, related How-To Guides, helpful resource links, and relevant Tools will help you be successful in preserving your African American cemeteries and burial grounds.

Knowledge Center

How To Guides

Explore a range of best practices, tips and tricks with our handy “how to” guides before you start your preservation project.

How to Acquire a State Historical Marker

A guide to the process of applying for, reviewing, and installing a State Historical Marker for your historic space.

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How to Apply for the National Register of Historic Places

A guide to the process of preparing for, researching, writing, and the review stages for getting your historic space listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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How to Start a Preservation Project

A guide on beginning a project to save your local historic space or place.

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How to Apply for a Preservation Grant

A guide to setting the stage for your project to get preservation funding.

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Helpful Resources

Preservation of Historic Burial Grounds

A free pdf resource guide to the preservation of burials from the 17-19th centuries.

Grave Matters: The Preservation of African American Cemeteries

Online booklet addressing the history of African American Cemeteries, particularly in SC as well as how to help preserve and advocate for African American cemeteries.
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Cemeteries (SC Department of Archives & History)

Landing page for listing of state and national resources for the preservation of historic cemeteries.

South Carolina's Historic Cemeteries: A Preservation Handbook

Handbook addressing a variety of topics relating to the preservation of historic cemeteries in South Carolina including developing a master plan, restoration guidelines and laws.

African American Burial Grounds Protection Fact Sheet

A guide to laws and resources that provide protections for African American cemeteries. Has statewide applications and a special focus on Charleston County.

Resting in Resiliance: Preserving African American Burial Grounds

A discussion with state experts on the preservation of African American cemeteries and burial grounds, particularly in South Carolina.

Preservation Tools

Expand your preservation power.

Explore a wide range of resources and tools designed to help aspiring and seasoned preservationists and activists move their projects and passions forward.

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