Join us to learn about one of Baltimore's most important, and forgotten cemeteries, and help clean it up as you learn! Laurel Cemetery was incorporated in 1852 as Baltimore’s first nondenominational cemetery for African Americans. It quickly became a popular place of burial for people across Black Baltimore’s socioeconomic spectrum, including 230 Black Civil War veterans and notables such as Civil Rights activist Reverend Harvey Johnson.

Join us to learn about one of Baltimore’s most important, and forgotten cemeteries, and help clean it up as you learn! Laurel Cemetery was incorporated in 1852 as Baltimore’s first nondenominational cemetery for African Americans. It quickly became a popular place of burial for people across Black Baltimore’s socioeconomic spectrum, including 230 Black Civil War veterans and notables such as Civil Rights activist Reverend Harvey Johnson. In 1958 and after a series of lawsuits failed to prevail in the courts, Laurel Cemetery was leveled. Today it is the site of the Belair-Edison Crossing Shopping Center, and home to several businesses. However, many current patrons and nearby residents are unaware of the site’s former purpose and significance. Join members of the Laurel Cemetery Memorial Project to see the site firsthand…and have a hand in improving it. This free event will include an hour-long trash clean-up followed by a history tour of the site. All supplies will be provided. Please meet at the grassy area at 2401 Belair Road.