Commission endorses Blackwood Farm memorial concept; St. Matthew’s to pursue its own marker

On March 25 the Orange County Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a proposed stone memorial marker and draft inscription intended to recognize the enslaved community associated with Blackwood Farm Park.

Peter Sandbeck, cultural resources coordinator, shared images of the proposed marker and said the draft language was adapted from the inscription used at the African Burial Ground in New York City; the design concept includes a Sankofa bird image. After members reviewed the imagery and draft text, commissioners agreed the proposed concept and inscription text were appropriate for the site and consistent with memorial goals.

Staff also reported on a longer-term memorial project at St. Matthew’s Church intended to honor enslaved members associated with the church’s early history. That project has engaged descendants groups, including feedback from the Stagville descendants, who recommended placing a marker on St. Mary’s Road. Because the county has not yet established a county marker program and has no dedicated funding in place, the St. Matthew’s committee planned to proceed on its own.

Commission discussion focused on the appropriateness of wording and design and on coordinating with descendant communities and partner groups in each project. No specific county funding or formal landmark action was recorded at the meeting for either memorial; staff flagged the need to coordinate with the Human Relations Commission and with local descendant stakeholders as follow-up work.