The public is invited to the Barton Heights Cemeteries, located at the intersection of Lamb Avenue and Wellford Street, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10:00am for a free walking tour.

Over this past summer, Sara Wilson, a graduate student intern from the University of Virginia’s architectural history program, worked with Collaboratory member Ryan K. Smith and the Descendants Council of Greater Richmond to produce a self-guided walking tour guidebook of this historic and sacred site.

The Barton Heights Cemeteries were founded by a society of free Black residents in 1815 to establish a dignified burying place for its members, and numerous other free Black societies soon joined alongside them, expanding the grounds to 12 total acres and six distinct sections, including two latter sections founded after 1865. The cemeteries are unique in holding a large assortment of grave markers raised by Black residents from the antebellum era and tributes to leaders in every walk of life, including the military, the ministry, businesses, philanthropy, politics, and the professions.

At the September 13 event, Sara will showcase and distribute the free walking tour guide that will be available for use by visitors to the cemeteries and school groups. It supplements the comprehensive digital map created for the cemetery three years ago. Please join us there on September 13!