Resident urges Chester County to restore and fund Mount Hebron African American Cemetery

John Massey, a Chester resident at 171 East Lacey, urged Chester County Council during public comments to prioritize restoration and perpetual maintenance of Mount Hebron African American Cemetery.

Massey said Mount Hebron was established in the mid-to-late 1800s and is located off the 72 Bypass near First Street in the Eureka area, roughly five miles from the council chambers. He told council the cemetery records and research materials are on file at the county library and the clerk’s office at the county courthouse and that the city’s records show annexation occurred in September 2006. Massey said the graves sit on both county and city property, with a short section of access road on city property that needs clearing before cleanup can begin.

Massey asked the county to add two items to the July agenda: (1) approval of a short road-clearing project to restore access, and (2) creation of a Mount Hebron Cemetery Fund, modeled on a previous fund used for Burnt Meeting House Cemetery, to accept donations and support restoration. He suggested county cemetery committee openings be open to city or county residents and said he preferred appointments of African American residents with an interest in the work. Massey closed by asking county and city officials to work together to make the cemetery safe and accessible.

Council did not take formal action at the meeting; the request was raised during the public-comment period and Massey asked that the items be placed on the July agenda for council consideration.