| The 2007 Re-Dedication Ceremony |  |
The event, on May 12, 2007, re-dedicated and honored the forgotten burial place of approximately 1,800 freedmen, who escaped the bonds of slavery, sought refuge in Alexandria, and contributed to the prosperity and cultural heritage of the City. The event was the culmination of years of research and community activism. From the Friends of Freedmen's Cemetery, to Alexandria residents, City of Alexandria staff, and schoolchildren who participated in luminary decorating -- this has truly been a community effort.
In 2010, the City of Alexandria will again honor these men, women and children, with the formal dedication of the Contraband and Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial.
Luminary Decorations
Schoolchildren, scouts, community groups and participants in bag-decorating workshops at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and the Alexandria Black History Museum adorned the luminary bags with heartfelt artwork, words and poetry. Each bag is labeled with the name, sex and age of death of one of the deceased Freedmen. The 1,906 luminary bags are illustrated on the Friends of Freedmen's Cemetery website. You can view the bags produced by each class, group or workshop.
