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LABORING SONS MEMORIAL GROUND DEDICATION

Frederick, Md. --- The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the official dedication of Laboring Sons Memorial Ground. The dedication will take place on Wednesday, January 15, at 12 p.m., at Laboring Sons Memorial Ground, Chapel Alley between 5^th and 6^th Streets. Please note the following agenda for the dedication:

Welcome Message Mayor Jennifer P. Dougherty

City of Frederick

Invocation Reverend Burton L. Mack

Asbury United Methodist Church

Comments Alderman Bill Hall

City of Frederick

Laboring Sons Memorial Ground Mr. William O. Lee

Dedication Speech Former City of Frederick Aldermen and Treasurer of Fairview Cemetery

Music Selection Young Adults Making A Move (YAMAM)

Margo Foreman, Director

Reflection on Laboring Sons Jacqueline Berry

Memorial Ground Laboring Sons Memorial Ground Committee Member

Music Selection Young Adults Making A Move (YAMAM)

Margo Foreman, Director

Benediction Reverend Burton Mack

Asbury United Methodist Church

Members of the Laboring Sons Memorial Park Committee include; Bernard W. Brown -President of the Fairview Cemetery, Richard Cody – Resthaven Memorial Garden, Geoffrey M. Irvin – Lough Memorials, William O. Lee – former City of Frederick Aldermen and Treasurer of Fairview Cemetery, Mary J. Berry, resident of Frederick, and Martha Reynolds, resident of Frederick.

The Laboring Sons Cemetery was established in 1837 by the Beneficial Society of the Laboring Sons of Frederick to provide a proper burial ground for citizens of color. It remained a cemetery until 1948 when family members moved most remains to other cemeteries and a playground was built. Upon learning the story of the cemetery, the City acted to resolve the situation. In 2000 the past administration voted to remove all playground equipment and rename the park as a memorial ground.

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