People's Memorial Cemetery
Also known as: 123-5031-0001
Why it's listed
People's Memorial Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia, covers about eight acres and holds roughly 692 marked graves. The land was acquired in three parts, in 1840, 1865 and around 1880, by prominent African-American residents, including members of mutual aid societies who bought and maintained the grounds until 1931. The site has no formal paths, and its mature trees and family plots show the influence of the rural cemetery movement. Plots are often edged with concrete or granite curbing or enclosed by iron fences. Markers include marble and granite headstones, concrete stones, bedstead monuments, and small lodge stones marking membership in fraternal and benevolent groups. Several stonecutting firms have been identified from inscriptions. The cemetery is significant for documenting Black entrepreneurship among undertakers and stonecutters, the work of benevolent societies, and changing burial customs between 1840 and 1942. In 1943 road widening required moving 108 burials into a new gridded section. Maintenance has been uneven, and trees and damaged fences remain concerns.
Significance in brief: The cemetery reflects the organization of free Black residents, mutual aid societies, and the work of African-American undertakers and stonecutters. Its markers document the evolution of stonecutting styles and the community's social, religious and artistic values from 1840 to 1942. It is also notable for its rural cemetery influences and its lodge stones from twenty-four benevolent societies.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08000245, listed March 28, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 334 S. Crater Rd., Petersburg (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Petersburg |
| Listed | March 28, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000245 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | ca. 1840 - ca. 1942 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Social History, Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | As of 2007 the cemetery is neatly maintained by the city at a basic level, but more complete restoration is needed. Some stones are broken, and fences and curbing are damaged or missing. |
| Acreage | 8.2 |
| Coordinates | 37.22487, -77.38900 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08000245.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16898178
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.