On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.
The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) is making strides toward rehabilitating and transforming Woodlawn Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township, the only known African-American graveyard in Washtenaw County and one of only a handful in the state of Michigan.
While spearheaded by the AACHM, the project is a collaborative effort involving a local archeologist, the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission, Ypsilanti Township, the African American Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, descendants of family members buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, and the Washtenaw County Racial Equity Office, which helped acquire a grant of $13,000 toward restoring the site.
In the last two years, the AACHM has been hosting regular clean-up days at the site. Most recently, museum staff conducted some non-invasive engineering surveys of the site. They’ve also hosted a series of listening sessions around southeast Michigan to inform residents about the project, solicit stories from descendants of those buried there, and ask for feedback about transforming the neglected site into something welcoming to families…