The African Cemetery Master Plan is deeply rooted in both historical preservation and ecological restoration. This plan is dedicated to honoring those whose steadfast commitment has sustained the fight for justice on behalf of the Randolph Freedpeople:

• To Charlotte Mae Olden-Raglon, grandmother of Paisha Thomas, who nearly lost her life walking to the Miami County Courthouse to deliver a petition demanding reparative justice for the stolen land of the Randolph Freedpeople.

• To all the Freedpeople who courageously and persistently returned to court, refusing to abandon the fight for restitution.

• To Mrs. Helen Gilmore, who safeguarded our heritage through her stewardship of artifacts, her dedication to the museum, and her loving care of Rossville—until she joined the ancestors.

At the heart of the plan is the African Cemetery, where a memorial will be established to honor and tell the story of the Freedpeople. A significant component of the plan includes historical and archaeological efforts to identify those buried there, restore existing gravemarkers, and install new ones for those previously unmarked.

The vision includes a welcome center that will serve as both an event space and an informational hub. Plans also call for the renovation of nearby streets using Ohio’s historic bricks to emphasize the sacredness of the cemetery’s approach. Helen Gilmore’s former museum home will be restored, and a series of interpretive signs will be developed to offer a self-guided historical tour.

Crucial to the success of the project are considerations of topography and water flow, ensuring the landscape supports the long-term preservation of the site. Above all, the master plan is devoted to honoring the legacy and sacred memory of the Randolph Freedpeople.

Client

Land of the Freed

Project Team

Landscape Architect I DesignJones LLC

Project Status

Conceptual Master Plan - Complete

Size

3.38 Acres