Flock + Friends: Black Georgetown
We recently had the honor of interviewing Lisa Fager, the Executive Director of the Mount Zion/Female Union Band Society Historic Memorial Park Inc. Foundation and creator behind Black Georgetown. The foundation works tirelessly to preserve and raise awareness for these historic African American cemeteries, maintaining this space for quiet reflection, respectful commemoration of the past, and education. This sacred piece of history is a wonderful place to visit, either for one of the foundation's events or in your own time (there are self-guided walking tours available via QR codes in the cemeteries!).
Q: What do you do on the daily at Black Georgetown?
A: Tasks range from researching material related to those buried at the cemeteries, working with volunteers, fielding inquiries from interested parties (i.e., historians, archeologists, students, family members, genealogists, tour groups ), seeking funding opportunities, responding to school/teacher requests, as well as, generally oversee the property to ensure the grounds are maintained and not disrespected.
Q: What is the inspiration behind Black Georgetown?
A: Telling history truthfully.
Q: Who have been some of your favorite visitors so far?
A: My favorite visitors are those that come to learn and "unlearn" and bring friends.
Q: How can our community best support Black Georgetown?
A: Currently, our primary need is finding sustainable funding; however in the meantime, other means of support could include volunteering to restore over 200-year-old grave markers, assisting with building our database, if you are a Georgetown native sharing personal history & familial connections to those interred. Ultimately, our objective is to develop a Black Georgetown Heritage Center with exhibits, archives, artifacts, classrooms, office, restrooms, and a destination beyond the Smithsonian.
Q: What does running a DC-based foundation mean to you?
A: This is a passion project. I believe in telling history and the impact of truth....and what does that mean to us now. It's so important to raise awareness of our work to create a place to ensure the contributions of the ancestors are not forgotten, but rather are acknowledged and celebrated. Their contributions were incredibly valuable to building Georgetown and the Nation's Capital.
Q: What is your favorite fun fact about the cemeteries?
A: Nannie's gravesite is a true reminder of traditions that connect African Americans to Africa; a tradition to provide favorites and things needed for the next life. Toys are left by strangers at her gravemarker in remembrance to a child who very little is known about except her marker indicates she died a week before her 8th birthday in 1856; was she "free" or enslaved? We only have a first name, her death pre-dates DC death records by 20 years. She leaves us with many questions.