Preservation Society of Charleston has joined forces with the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture to digitally map historic African-American cemeteries in Charleston, South Carolina.

Per Avery Center’s Instagram page: “The Humane and Friendly Society was established by free Blacks in Charleston, South Carolina in 1802 to support sick individuals and to aid their families; to provide a place for burial, and to help widows. In addition, they sometimes arranged for apprenticeships for African American males and paid for the education of orphaned children. The society also promoted a sense of community, yet some found the society and others like it to be elitist since one had to pay dues to be a member. The organization was one of nine burial and fraternal societies such as Brown Fellowship Society (1790); and preceded the Friendly Union Society (1913); Brotherly Association (1852); Monrovia Society (1856); Unity and Friendship Society (1871); Reserve Fellowship (1874); Lewis Christian Society; and Racker Hill Cemetery (aka Bright Light) (1890s). Other names for these organizations include bury leagues, mutual benefit societies, fraternal orders, and burial associations.”

I dream of this kind of partnership — and mapping — for Odd Fellows Cemetery. In the meantime, I look forward to following and learning from this partnership.