Rye’s historic African American Cemetery was the topic of a free talk by Westchester historian Dave Thomas on Sunday, September 10. An appreciative audience learned more about efforts to preserve the final resting place of more than 300 black individuals at this National Historic Register site. Many of those interred at this landmark on North Street are veterans of the Civil War. Their narratives were told compellingly and many of their descendants attended. Refreshments followed.
Thomas is the founder of the Friends of the African American Cemetery. This year saw even greater collaboration between the Friends of the African American Cemetery and JHC. The two groups have uncovered and shared a great body of new research and genealogical finds about the Purdy family and others.
Learn more about the Friends on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FOAAC/
