Conversations in Indiana African American
History and
Culture
JULY 18, 2024
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT (Doors open at
5:30 p.m.)
Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis and Online
Greenlawn Cemetery: The first “Bury Ground” of Indianapolis
Leon Bates, local historian, discusses the history of
Greenlawn Cemetery, Indianapolis’s first cemetery. Greenlawn was created as a
public “Bury Ground” in 1821 by an act of the Indiana Legislature. Indianapolis
has never had a black cemetery, although there are many around the state; the
Indianapolis Bury Ground had a segregated “Colored Section.” Between 1821 and
1863, the cemetery grew to include three adjacent cemeteries totaling 25 acres.
Greenlawn began to fall from favor with the rise of the rural cemetery movement
of the late 1850s and 1860s; this led to the creation of the 555-acre Crown
Hill Cemetery approximately four miles to the north. In 1890, the city declared
the Bury Ground full and closed to burials, and by 1902, the other three
sections were being condemned as well. Several redevelopments followed,
including a park, baseball stadium, slaughterhouse, the Traction Terminal
Realty Company, and the Diamond Chain Manufacturing Company.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at Indiana Landmarks Center and
talk begins at 6 p.m. in person and online. Free with RSVP. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conversations-in-indiana-african-american-history-culture-7182024-tickets-928548081307
Saturday, July 13
Parking validation will be available for attendees who park in the Senate Avenue parking garage directly across from the library and bring their ticket in for validation.
Getting the Lay of the Land: How Land Platting Can Help Your Genealogy
Presented by John Barr, professional genealogist and sole proprietor of Old Northwest Genealogy
