HISTORIC ROSELAND CEMETERY RESTORATION

Historic Roseland Cemetery, located off on Monroe Road behind the new apartments called The Address, is home to the graves of approximately 75-125 souls, believed to be mostly freed slaves and African Americans. The cemetery was used for burial until the late 1950’s. It was named a local historic landmark in 2012 by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmark Commission. Read more here.

The property was purchased from a private owner by Taft Development under the agreement that it will be restored and preserved. The Matthews Historical Foundation, together with Hoke Thompson, has been leading an effort to cleanup and restore the property. The Foundation has also been working to identify those buried at the cemetery.

BEFORE

Since March of this year, a group of volunteers totaling 75 people, led by Thompson, has been working nearly every weekend to clear brush, remove dead trees, and restore the cemetery. The group has removed a total of 7 tons of debris. Several new headstones and artifacts were found during the cleanup. Once the cleanup is complete, a walking path, fence and signage will be added.

The Matthews Historical Foundation (represented by President Becky Willard and Paula Lester) along with Hoke Thompson provided an update to the Board of Commissioners at their April 26 meeting.

AFTER

“I want to thank the Matthews Historical Foundation, Hoke Thompson, and all the volunteers who have helped restore the Roseland Cemetery. I am so glad to see Roseland Cemetery be respected in the manner it should be.”

- Mayor John Higdon