Va. Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Included in National Park Service Reconstruction Era National Historic Network
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Va. Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Included in National Park Service Reconstruction Era National Historic Network
(THOROUGHFARE, VA, 6/5/23) – The Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare, an organization founded to challenge the alleged ongoing desecration of African-American and Native American cemeteries in Thoroughfare, Va., today announced that it has received confirmation of eligibility to join the National Park Service’s newly-created Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.
The coalition’s eligibility for inclusion in that network, which will include sites and programs affiliated with the Reconstruction Era, came in a letter from Scott Teodorski, Superintendent of the Reconstruction Era National Park and the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. Teodorski noted that the network was formed under the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act signed into law in 2019.
His letter to the coalition letter read in part: “We are excited by the opportunity to include The Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare and its rich history as part of this network and look forward to working with you to share stories of the Reconstruction Era.”
[NOTE: This is part of a nationwide effort by local communities seeking to protect historic Black and Native American cemeteries.]
In a statement, Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Founder and Spokesman Frank Washington said:
“We thank the National Park Service and Mr. Teodorski for including the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare in the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network and hope to contribute the important story of our community’s rich history and its ongoing efforts to preserve the important legacy of African-Americans and Native Americans.”
Washington noted that the coalition recently called on the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a federal hate crime investigation into what the coalition says are illegal disturbances to historic burial sites.
BACKGROUNDER:
Thoroughfare is an historic Native American and African American community with roots going back hundreds of years. Originally a Native American community, during the 1800s African-Americans began to settle there and a vibrant mixed-race community was established. Today, Thoroughfare is centered around Oakrum Baptist Church, and the descendants of the founders still call Thoroughfare home.
When developers purchased land containing the three major Thoroughfare cemeteries and, early in 2021, destroyed the Scott Cemetery, blocked access to the Potters Field Cemetery, and threatened the Fields/Allen Cemetery with development, the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare formed to protect the cemeteries and to preserve the history of Thoroughfare.
Recently, The Prince William Board of County Supervisors agreed to purchase a two-acre parcel to begin the process of preserving the heritage of the Thoroughfare community. However, the County then stripped the family of those burial rights that have been held by the family for well over a century; no longer allowing them to rest beside their ancestors.
SEE: Prince William Co. approves historic district land purchase for future park
Video: Virginia Group Works to Save Historic African-American, Native American Cemeteries
The town of Thoroughfare was established and settled by freed African-American slaves and Native Americans. Homes and family cemeteries in this community date back to 1860 and earlier.
Descendants of freed slaves and Native-Americans still live in Thoroughfare.
Slaves, freed slaves, freedmen/freedwomen, and Native-Americans who worked and lived on the land of Thoroughfare, Va., are under the threat of having their final sacred resting places decimated or completely removed by encroaching developers. Family members are also being denied access to many of these graves.
Historic freed slave homes, land and structures are under the same threat of destruction and at risk of being lost.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Video: Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare – A Town Under Siege
https://www.facebook.com/104115108438832/videos/762944897756999
Video: Community Fights to Save Historic Cemeteries From Development (NBC4)
A small Virginia town fights to save historic cemeteries of former slaves (WTOP)
‘Even in death, they have to fight for a name’ (Prince William Times)
Coalition tries to preserve historic western Prince William cemeteries
In Virginia, a historic Black neighborhood grapples with development (Washington Post)
The race to save African-American cemeteries from being ‘erased’ (Reuters)
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CONTACT: Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Spokesperson Frank Washington, 702-812-4174, savehistoricthoroughfare@gmail.com