Friends of Forgotten launch fundraising campaign

With the unveiling of the new plaque explaining the history of what was formerly the Negro Burial Ground, now referred to on the plaque as the Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground, Friends of the Forgotten is moving into high gear to raise funds for the next steps in “memorializing the burial grounds that are in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said group member, John Gallant.

The Stage 1 archaeological assessment, commissioned by the town and paid for by money raised by the Friends fundraising committee, has been completed, and council has given the committee the go-ahead to raise $60,000 for the Stage 2 and 3 assessments.

Stage 1, which was conducted by Archaeological Research Associates, includes information about the geography and history of the area, the archaeological potential of the site, and strategies to proceed to Stage 2.

It is considered, says CAO Marnie Cluckie, that the next two stages will be conducted together, but can’t move forward until the money is raised to fund them. She also spoke of a Stage 4, which once it is known what is below the ground, would refer to mitigation of impact preservation strategies, and would including public consultation, including reaching out to see, for example, if there are any family members still living related to those who might be buried in the cemetery.

The next two stages, she explained to The Local, “will help inform our next steps in terms of how we move forward.” Although ground-penetrating radar gave some indication what might be below the ground, “it’s not conclusive.We don’t know what’s under the ground.”

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario, the province, and the town will all be involved in next steps to ensure legislation is followed, ”and to be very cautions and very respectful given the sacred nature of the burial site,” said Cluckie.

According to George Webber, chair of Friends of the Forgotten, “the Stage 2 assessment will include test pit surveys to identify archaeological features and document archaeological materials. Stage 3 will map and recover any headstones and confirm the location of all interments.”

Friends of the Forgotten wants to raise these funds in the next two months so the town can issue a tender for recognized archaeological firms to bid on the project. “Once these assessments have been done, plans and timing can be established for the most rewarding part of the project,” said Webber, who hopes the work can begin early next spring.

“We need help from both large and individual donors,” said Webber. “ We would like organizations, foundations and interested community members to become official sponsors for this important historical work by donating $5,000 for the assessments. We also encourage any and all residents to lend their support with whatever they can afford.”

Donations can be made through the Friends of the Forgotten website, friendsoftheforgotten.ca. All funds raised are automatically directed to the town specifically for this project. Town representatives will issue tax receipts for any amounts over $25.

With files from Penny Coles