Uncovering and protecting the history of Gettysburg’s Lincoln Cemetery
By Jessica Rudy | Photography by Melissa Ring
“Everyone in here has a story,” explains Jean Howard Green, of Gettysburg, during a recent afternoon visit to Gettysburg’s Lincoln Cemetery.
The cemetery—located at the corner of Long Lane and Lincoln Lane in Gettysburg’s Third Ward—is bordered by WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, the Gettysburg Rec Park and a residential neighborhood. It is an oasis of quiet in a busy area; the iron fence surrounding its perimeter belies the rich history and community contained within.
Lincoln Cemetery was established in 1867 by the Sons of Good Will as a final resting place for local Black citizens in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Its creation was necessitated by what longtime Lincoln Cemetery caretaker Betty Dorsey Myers had termed “Segregation in death”—veterans of the United States Colored Troops were not permitted burial in Gettysburg’s Soldiers’ National Cemetery, located just blocks away.
In the 157 years since its establishment, Lincoln Cemetery’s borders and scope have expanded to encompass much of the local Black community’s history, a story that continues to be written though those interred on the grounds went to rest long ago.
In her 2001 book Segregation in Death: Gettysburg’s Lincoln Cemetery, Myers traced the cemetery’s history from its 1867 establishment as the Goodwill Colored Graveyard, located within Gettysburg’s historic Black neighborhood. Trustees of St. Paul AME Zion Church bought an adjacent lot, and in 1906 graves were relocated from the York Street Cemetery, which was to be redeveloped. In 1916, the Lincoln Lodge of the Elks acquired additional adjacent land for burials. The care of the parcels was a communal effort for Gettysburg’s Black community, growing into what is today known as Lincoln Cemetery.
Thanks to the piecemeal accumulation of the grounds, grave markers indicate burials dating from the mid-19th century until a few years ago. Unfortunately, the process and the passage of time has also resulted in 136 unmarked graves.
The cemetery is landlocked—and full. As president of the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association (LCPA), Green is leading this generation of cemetery caretakers, ensuring the grounds and its inhabitants are protected now and in the future.
Green stepped into leadership in January 2023, succeeding longtime caretaker Myers, who for many decades carefully protected Lincoln Cemetery. Green is joined on the board by local historians, community leaders and Third Ward neighbors, many of whom have family interred at the cemetery. Green has been involved since 2001, thanks to her close friendship with Myers.
“I was doing history and became good friends with Betty,” recalls Green. “God knew I would be serious, and I am.”
“My mother would be really proud of her. I’m so proud of Jean for doing what she’s done,” shares Yvonne Myers, LCPA treasurer and Betty’s daughter.
One of the first projects tackled under Green’s leadership was understanding the stories of the 136 unmarked graves. The LCPA is also in the final stages of getting the cemetery placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In autumn 2023, ground-penetrating radar scanned the cemetery. The process confirmed graves indicated by headstones, as well as the locations of unmarked graves. Each was marked with the temporary orange flags that now dot much of the territory within the cemetery gates. Green cautioned the process only located coffins, not cremains.
“After finding all the unknowns, the second thing I wanted to do was check the paperwork of all [who were]buried,” says Green. She explained paperwork indicated whether markers were used at the time of burial and described geographical locations in some cases.
Ultimately, the LCPA wants to ensure all unmarked graves have a permanent marker and to that end is actively fundraising for the estimated $35,000 needed.
Green frequently visits the cemetery with portions of the LCPA’s archive in an attempt to puzzle through each unknown burial. Some burials, she observes, may have been done secretly at night by those who did not have the money to buy plots.
“We want to try our best,” she says. “Perhaps [we can]find someone and put them back together. I’m so protective because so much has been taken away.”
Green points to a long history of the Black community’s dedication to the ground, from creating a place to inter United States Colored Troops (USCT) veterans to taking care of the grounds throughout the decades. After World War II, Lincoln Cemetery became host to the Black community’s annual Memorial Day ceremonies — a tradition that continues today.
In the mid-20th century, the grounds fell into disrepair after caretakers passed away. Vandalism occurred, and at times the property would be used as parking for events at the nearby park. Eventually, the fence was erected to prevent further incidents and protect the space as much as possible, and the cemetery was locked.
Recently, the LCPA has begun unlocking the gate on weekends during daylight hours.
That access adds to other ongoing efforts to share the cemetery’s history. In 2018 and 2019, local historian Andrew Dalton constructed a database of burials using records available from the LCPA and the Adams County Historical Society, as well as other sources.
In June 2024, Lincoln Cemetery was one of 11 sites announced as part of Gettysburg’s Black History Trail, a self-guided tour of local Black heritage, created by numerous community partners and nonprofits and hosted by Destination Gettysburg.
Green enjoys giving tours of the cemetery to visitors whenever she gets a chance. Tours are only permitted with the permission of the LCPA to protect the restoration work underway. In addition to the work to identify unknown burials, fences have been repaired, the rostrum restored and trees removed.
“We can’t afford … wear and tear,” she explains while pointing out gravesites in various conditions throughout the grounds.
In everything Green and the LCPA do to protect the cemetery, she feels a strong sense of responsibility and care.
“I’m here to take care of you,” she reflects as she contemplates the citizens at rest. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s for the right reasons.”
Visitors can tour the cemetery at the corner of Long Lane and Lincoln Lane in Gettysburg from dusk to dawn on the weekends.
Be a Part of History
The Lincoln Cemetery Project Association (LCPA) was established to preserve and protect Gettysburg’s only surviving Black cemetery. More than 450 citizens of Gettysburg and Adams County are buried in the cemetery. LCPA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is currently raising funds to rehabilitate the cemetery and its historical features.
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