In February, the Philadelphia Historical Commission added the historic burial ground at 1651 Kinsey Street, Campbell A.M.E. Church of Frankford, to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.

The Commission designated the 1870 church building in 1982. This nomination focuses on the burial ground’s connection to the history of the Black community of Frankford. The property is linked with the lives of significant people associated with the A.M.E. Church of Frankford and early landowners.

The nomination highlights the artifacts and physical remains on the property. The burial ground dates to 1811 and existed before the church was built. The property also appeared on maps as a burial ground for Black Philadelphians as early as 1834. That early map shows that a large section of the cemetery remained undisturbed. The church building was constructed in a way to not disturb the burials which lie beneath.

You can learn more about the Burial Ground at Campbell A.M.E. Church in the nomination to designate the property. The nomination was prepared by Joseph J. Menkevich.

The burial ground is the latest designation that recognizes and protects Black history and sites in Philadelphia. Other recent designations include:

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