Preserving Woodlawn Cemetery: ‘An Integral Part of the 250 Years of American History’

May 20, 2026

Anntoinette "Toni" White-Richardson, president of the Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association, is working to preserve and honor the historically significant Woodlawn Cemetery in Southeast D.C., which contains approximately 36,000 burials of predominantly African Americans, including prominent figures like former U.S. Senator Blanche K. Bruce. The cemetery, which opened in 1895 and may be the only remaining cemetery within D.C. city limits with Black Civil War connections, recently received $125,000 from the District's Paul E.

Who is affected

Anntoinette "Toni" White-Richardson and her family (her grandfather is buried at Woodlawn)
Approximately 36,000 African Americans buried at Woodlawn Cemetery
Historical figures including Blanche K. Bruce (former U.S. Senator and first Black register of the Treasury) and Lindsay Muse (first messenger for the Navy Department)
The Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association
Volunteers who maintain the cemetery
Ward 7 and Benning Ridge neighborhood residents
The Mt. Zion and Female Union Band Society Cemeteries (also grant recipients)
The Black Georgetown Foundation
D.C. residents and future generations
Visitors who attend on the five limited opening days

What action is being taken

The Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association is using the $125,000 grant for maintenance including installing new signage, putting up new fencing, and removing invasive trees
Volunteers are conducting community clean-ups (next ones scheduled for June 19, July 25, Aug. 22, and Sept. 26)
The cemetery is opening to the public for limited hours on five specific days: D.C. Emancipation Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, and Veterans Day
White-Richardson is working to ensure the legacies and stories of those buried at Woodlawn are preserved and remain alive for future generations
The Office of Planning, under Mayor Bowser's leadership, is committed to preserving the District's cultural heritage

Why it matters

Woodlawn Cemetery represents an irreplaceable connection between Black history, D.C. history, and American history that spans 250 years. The cemetery may be the only existing cemetery within D.C. city limits where Black Civil War affiliation remains, making it a unique historical resource. Preserving Woodlawn is particularly urgent at a time when federal leaders have threatened ramifications for acknowledging parts of Black history and eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The cemetery safeguards the narratives of thousands of African Americans who contributed to the District and the nation, many of whom do not appear in traditional history books, ensuring their legacies remain documented in government records, wills, and legal documents for future generations.

What's next

Community clean-ups are scheduled for June 19, July 25, Aug. 22, and Sept. 26
The cemetery will be open to visitors on the remaining scheduled days: Juneteenth (June 19), Labor Day (Sept. 7), and Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
The association will continue raising money and funds for ongoing cemetery maintenance
White-Richardson encourages people to show up when the cemetery opens and to volunteer throughout the year

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer