Bucktoe Creek Cemetery
Thanks to the Welfare Foundation, Starrett Foundation, and all individuals for funding Phase II of the Bucktoe Creek Cemetery Restoration Project!
Help Us to Make History and Continue the Cemetery's Restoration: Click Here To Help
November 3, 2013: Chronicles Day
The Land Conservancy, New Garden UAME Church, and members of the community joined together to commemorate the Bucktoe Cemetery and those laid to rest.
Out of the one hundred plus graves on site, eight known African-American Civil War soldiers are buried here, along with many members of the church or neighboring communities. Travel back in time to the Civil War through historical reenactments and story telling. Take a historic hike to catch a glimpse of the African Union Church Parsonage and Rev. Wiggins House Ruins, and other continuing restoration projects surrounding the cemetery. Through historic restorationist, Eugene Hough, gain a deeper understanding of the restoration process, and the legacy of this unique and historic site in Southern Chester County.
January 20th 2013: Bucktoe Cemetery Restoration Workshop
Community members and TLC staff volunteered time to help historic restorationist, Eugene Hough, continue the ongoing restoration process of the Bucktoe Cemetery. Quarry dust screenings were used to mark each gravesite, and to fill in divots and deep holes to even out the ground for guests walking through.
March, April and May 2013: Stay tuned for educational archeological digs of the original church foundation with historic restorationist, Eugene Hough. If you, your school, club or organization is interested in participating in a dig, please contact education@tlcforscc.org!
US Colored Troops Grand Review at Bucktoe Creek Cemetery (November 2010)
The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC), in conjunction with the New Garden Memorial UAME Church, Bucktoe Creek Preserve, and the Pennsylvania Tourism Special Marketing Initiative, is participating in the US Colored Troops Grand Review. The Grand Review will serve as a commemoration of the November 1865 event of the same name. It was organized by the women of Harrisburg to honor the United States Colored Troops (USCT) who were not permitted to participate in the Grand Review of the Armies, a military procession and celebration held May 23-24, 1865, in Washington, D.C., following the end of the Civil War.
TLC is currently overseeing the project, commencing with the restoration of the historic Bucktoe Creek Cemetery in preparation for events slotted throughout the year as part of the Pennsylvania Grand Review- Hallowed Grounds Project. The Hallowed Grounds component focuses on the cemetery, since it is the final resting place of previously identified African American soldiers who served in the Civil War. The descendants of the soldiers will be included in this year-long commemoration that will include exhibitions, presentation, and conservation projects that will reveal the hidden histories of the troops.
TLC is helping to reconnect the families of the USCT with their history, conserve the gravesites of these troops, and share this piece of history with a new generation of Americans through rugged conservation weekends, historic hikes and living history presentations.
First and foremost, the cemetery is being restored for a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony that took place on November 14th 2010 at the graves of the United States Colored Troops buried at Bucktoe Creek Cemetery. The Bucktoe Creek Preserve will be the host for the events slotted throughout the year. Please view the timeline below for more information or call TLC’s office at 610-347-0347.
Tower Hill School Students' Bucktoe Creek Cemetery Video Presentation:
November 2010: Students from Tower Hill School put together a short video of their trip to Bucktoe Creek Cemetery. The students' presentation honors the USCT soldiers who fought in the Civil War and were later buried at this cemetery.
Download the WMV file (Right click on the link and select "save link as")
Bucktoe Cemetery Project Timeline 2010 to Present:
Cemetery Restoration Project performed in consultation with Heritage Guild Works -- ongoing until completed
Genealogy Review of US Colored Troops
Historical Research of original church and cemetery grounds
Site Analysis and grave stone remediation
Development of Plot Plan
Restoration of grave stones
Remove and replace fencing
Prepare management plan
Rugged Conservation Weekend
Flagging
Photography
Clean up and remediation of site
Commemoration Ceremony
Laying on of Wreaths
Living History Hikes
Ground Penetrating Radar
Coming up on November 3, 2012: Bucktoe Historic Chronicles Day
For additional information about the Hallowed Grounds Project, visit:
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BUCKTOE CREEK CEMETERY
