Discover Our Heritage
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
The Byberry Township African American Burial Ground stands as a significant yet largely unmarked memorial in Northeast Philadelphia. Located near the picturesque Poquessing Creek and Benjamin Rush State Park, this site serves as a solemn reminder of the African Americans who lived and worked in Byberry Township during the 18th and 19th ce
The Byberry Township African American Burial Ground stands as a significant yet largely unmarked memorial in Northeast Philadelphia. Located near the picturesque Poquessing Creek and Benjamin Rush State Park, this site serves as a solemn reminder of the African Americans who lived and worked in Byberry Township during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these individuals rest in unmarked graves, representing early Black farming and working communities that settled in this often-overlooked rural area of the city.
This burial ground is not merely a resting place; it is a vital site of memory and responsibility. It embodies the contributions, struggles, and legacies of generations of African American Philadelphians that merit acknowledgment and protection. Unfortunately, over the years, the site has faced neglect, development pressures, and a lack of historical recognition. The Society to Preserve African American Assets (SPPAAA) is dedicated to changing this narrative.
Connecting to the Poquessing Trail of History
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
The Poquessing Trail of History is an emerging initiative aimed at linking historical and cultural sites along the Poquessing Creek corridor. This trail illuminates the diverse and layered stories of our region—ranging from Indigenous pathways and colonial settlements to Black burial grounds and 20th-century neighborhoods.
By officially in
The Poquessing Trail of History is an emerging initiative aimed at linking historical and cultural sites along the Poquessing Creek corridor. This trail illuminates the diverse and layered stories of our region—ranging from Indigenous pathways and colonial settlements to Black burial grounds and 20th-century neighborhoods.
By officially incorporating the Byberry Burial Ground as a recognized point along this trail, SPPAAA and its partners are committed to ensuring that African American history is visibly and permanently embedded in our regional narrative. This trail transforms into more than just a pathway through nature; it becomes a journey through often hidden and erased chapters of Philadelphia’s history.
Why This Work Matters
Byberry Township African American Burial Ground
Why This Work Matters
Preserving the Byberry Burial Ground is not solely about marking a historic site; it’s about restoring dignity to those interred and educating the public about their significance. It addresses issues of environmental justice, cultural preservation, and the necessity of confronting marginalized histories.
SPPAAA believes every community des
Preserving the Byberry Burial Ground is not solely about marking a historic site; it’s about restoring dignity to those interred and educating the public about their significance. It addresses issues of environmental justice, cultural preservation, and the necessity of confronting marginalized histories.
SPPAAA believes every community deserves to see itself reflected in the landscape. Honoring this burial ground is a significant step toward recognizing African American heritage in Northeast Philadelphia and throughout the broader city.