Members of the African American Cemetery Committee were present to receive an award from the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission for their work at the Historic Marion Avenue Cemetery. Committee members above (L to R) Carolyn Johnson, Pecola Grove, Adlena Graham, Willie Williams, Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Andrews, Committee Chairman Councilman Tre’ Gammage, John Benjamin, and Councilwoman Teresa Mack.
Hartsville, SC—The City of Hartsville African American Cemetery Committee received an award from the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission at an awards banquet held at the South Carolina Archives and History Center on April 4, 2019. This awards ceremony was themed Preserving Our Places in History and was the 25th annual ceremony for the committee. The African American Cemetery Committee received this award for their efforts to revitalize the Historic Cemetery at Marion Avenue once known as the Hartsville Colored Cemetery.
The African American Cemetery is led by Chairman Tre’ Gammage who was present at the ceremony with other members of the committee. Councilman Gammage said, “Members of this committee and different groups from around Hartsville have come together to help ensure that this historic cemetery is preserved and taken care of for years to come.” The African American Cemetery Committee meets at the Marion Avenue Cemetery on the second Saturday of each month from 9 – 11 a.m. to clean up and make improvements to the cemetery. Members of the community are invited and welcome to attend the monthly cleanup days. The next improvement the committee would like to make is to add a recognizable entrance leading into the cemetery. Individuals interested in donating to the preservation efforts of the cemetery can do so at: hartsvillesc.gov/government/forms/historic-marion-avenue-cemetery-donation.