Oakland Cemetery is celebrating Black History Month with “We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights” on Feb. 9, Feb. 11 and Feb. 19 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is free.
The 75-minute guided tour will explore the lives and accomplishments of African Americans in Atlanta.
“‘We Shall Overcome’ became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, but the origin of the song dates back to antebellum days and a spiritual sung by enslaved people, ‘No More Auction Block for Me,’ the Historic Oakland Foundation’s website said. “This tour explores the lives and accomplishments of outstanding and ordinary African Americans who fought to overcome the effects of slavery and discrimination to help shape the history of Atlanta.”
The tour begins at the main entrance at Oakland Avenue and MLK Jr. Drive. Visitors can check in at the volunteer desk inside the Visitor Center located in the parking lot before meeting at the front gate.
“Not all areas of Historic Oakland Cemetery are wheelchair accessible,” the foundation said. “Please let us know if you need an accessible route when purchasing your ticket. There is designated parking for vehicles with a disability permit behind the Bell Tower Building/Visitors Center. This is the best option for parking as the main entrance is paved with cobblestones, and both the East Gate and Memorial Drive Gate entrances have either a step or curb.”
Tickets to the event can be reserved here.
On Feb. 23, the cemetery will also be hosting an African American Cemeteries and Burial Grounds Zoom Workshop from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“Oakland’s own Ashley Shares, Director of Preservation, and Abra Lee, Director of Horticulture, will cover specific preservation techniques for monuments and plantings often associated with African American landscapes,” the cemetery’s social media account said. “A recently completed restoration of Oakland’s African American Burial Grounds will also be highlighted.”
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