Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck, of the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association, will present “Proud Heritage: African American History in the Sourlands and Hopewell Valley,” an illustrated lecture at the Trent House Museum on Saturday April 16 at 1 p.m.
The Trent House is located at 15 Market St., Trenton, and the lecture will cost $10, with a discount of $8 for members. Light refreshments will be served.
With deep family roots in the Hopewell area, Mills, Buck and John Buck (Elaine’s husband) are passionate advocates for the preservation of the African American cemetery in the Sourlands and the surrounding region. Not far from Trenton, Stoutsburg Cemetery, also known as Moore’s Farm Burial Ground, has been the final resting place of area African-Americans for 200 years and perhaps longer. It holds the remains of a group of people who helped shape the economy of this region — as free, or as New Jersey’s enslaved laborers. Also interred there are numerous veterans, including Private William Stives (1760-1839) who has a commemorative marker as a soldier in the 3rd NJ Regiment of the American Revolution as well as ten veterans who fought in the Civil War. Mills and Buck are currently writing a book about African American contributions to the region, which should is targeted to be available by the end of the year.
This illustrated lecture will examine how a simple quest to preserve family history has grown into a grant-funded effort to preserve and document an important cemetery, and create an African American museum in the Sourlands.
Listed in both the State and National Registers of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark, the meticulously restored 1719 William Trent House and historic kitchen garden continue to give visitors a glimpse into pre-revolutionary life in America and its interpretation of William Trent’s lifestyle and diverse household. Owned and maintained by the City of Trenton and operated by the Trent House Association, the historic house museum is regularly open to the public for tours Wednesday through Sunday, 12:30 to 4 p.m. and by appointment for school and group tours. Located at 15 Market St. in Trenton, adjacent to the Hughes Justice Complex. Ample free parking.
For more information and driving directions, visit www.williamtrenthouse.org or call 609-989-3027.
Illustrated lecture presented by Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck, of the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association, will present a lecture on local African American history, including slave burial grounds.,
