Prince Hall Mystic Cemetery
Encyclopedia
The Prince Hall Mystic Cemetery, also known as the Prince Hall Cemetery, is a historic cemetery
located on Gardner Street, Arlington, Massachusetts
. It is said to be the only remaining African American Mason
ic cemetery in the United States
.
The cemetery is a burial place for members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F & AM, founded by Prince Hall
in Boston
in 1776. Prince Hall Freemasonry
was the first African American Masonic group in the United States. In 1864, Grand Master William B. Kendall deeded this site to his lodge. The cemetery was dedicated in 1868, and put in trust to be used exclusively as a Prince Hall Freemasonry
burial ground. Records indicate it was in use until about 1897 when it fell into disuse.
As time passed it was forgotten until its rediscovery in 1987. It was rededicated in 1990, and added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1998. Today the cemetery is the last extant cemetery associated with Prince Hall Masons. It contains a small park with a monument. A 1988 survey found remains of the original gate and an obelisk.
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
located on Gardner Street, Arlington, Massachusetts
Arlington, Massachusetts
Arlington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, six miles northwest of Boston. The population was 42,844 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. It is said to be the only remaining African American Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
ic cemetery in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The cemetery is a burial place for members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F & AM, founded by Prince Hall
Prince Hall
Prince Hall , was a tireless abolitionist and a leader of the free black community in Boston. Hall tried to gain New England’s enslaved and free blacks a place in some of the most crucial spheres of society, Freemasonry, education and the military...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1776. Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate predominantly African-American Freemasonry in North America...
was the first African American Masonic group in the United States. In 1864, Grand Master William B. Kendall deeded this site to his lodge. The cemetery was dedicated in 1868, and put in trust to be used exclusively as a Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Freemasonry derives from historical events which led to a tradition of separate predominantly African-American Freemasonry in North America...
burial ground. Records indicate it was in use until about 1897 when it fell into disuse.
As time passed it was forgotten until its rediscovery in 1987. It was rededicated in 1990, and added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1998. Today the cemetery is the last extant cemetery associated with Prince Hall Masons. It contains a small park with a monument. A 1988 survey found remains of the original gate and an obelisk.