In 1867, the Sons of Good Will created the Lincoln Cemetery to ensure the proper burial of Gettysburg’s African American citizens and Civil War veterans.

Address:
GETTYSBURG, PA, 17325

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Men of color who fought bravely for the Union Army are laid to rest in this cemetery. Here, approximately 30 soldiers of the US Colored Troops are remembered and honored for their bravery and loyalty in the fight for freedom.

Address:
Long Ln. & Washington St.
GETTYSBURG, PA, 17325

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Many African American soldiers are buried in the Lincoln Cemetery including Thomas Morris Chester, a Harrisburg native. Chester’s gravestone was replaced in 2002 with a gravestone that had his correct birth date. Thomas’ gravestone lies next to his brother’s marker. David moved to Philadelphia and became the second black man to serve on the city council.

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

For nearly 200 years the North Queen Street Cemetery, now called Locust Grove, has been the final resting place of many Shippenburg area African-Americans. The cemetery was first acknowledged in 1828 in a Cumberland County deed that noted a “colored cemetery” was on the site. In 1846, Shippensburg’s first black church was established here. Among the African-Americans interred at the cemetery are twenty-six Civil War veterans, three of which served with the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiments, the first combat units open to black men during the Civil War.

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Mt. Lebanon Cemetery was Chambersburg’s African American burial ground. It slopes down from the top of the hill and offers great views across Chambersburg. Many members of the United States Colored Troops are buried here, as are Henry Watson and Joseph R. Winters, two men involved with John Brown and the Underground Railroad.

Address:
906 Lincoln Way
CHAMBERSBURG, PA, 17201

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Explore history and pay homage to American heroes from the 19th century. Zion Union Cemetery is the largest known burial site of the Massachusetts 54th African-American Civil War veterans in a private cemetery. The cemetery can be viewed off Bennett Avenue that is off West Fairview Avenue from Route 75, or through the cemetery’s lane off West Fairview Avenue.

Address:
Zion Union Lane
CHAMBERSBURG, PA, 17236

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of ChurchTowne, Lancaster, PA, has been a center for the Lancaster community’s religious and cultural life since its founding in 1817. The current church building dates from 1879. In addition to religious services and church school, Bethel AME Church offers many ministries to the community as well as opportunities for volunteer service. The church’s adjoining cemetery houses the remains of African Civil War veterans.

Address:
415 E. Strawberry St
LANCASTER, PA, 17602

(Courtesy of Pennsylvania Civil War Trails)

Locust Grove Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Five years ago the Locust Grove Cemetery committee started a project designed to restore the site, which includes the remains of twenty six Civil War veterans. These men served in a number of different regiments, such as the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. One can read short profiles of all these veterans in a walking tour guide prepared by Steven Burg’s Theory and Practice of History Class at Shippensburg University, Spring 2008. (Download this guide as a PDF – right click and select “save link as” to download). There is also an article about the cemetery available in a recent issue of Cumberland County History (see Steven B. Burg, “Shippensburg’s Locust Grove Cemetery: A Window on Two Centuries of Cumberland County’s African-American History.” Cumberland County History, vol.26 (2009).  It is worth the time.  As Burg explains, this cemetery

“…is a remarkable place. It is a simple country cemetery, but just walking its grounds one is struck by the sheer number of white, marble Civil War tombstones. There are few other places in Central Pennsylvania that offer stronger testament to the long history of African Americans in the region, or the rich contributions African Americans have made in service to the nation.”