LEXINGTON, Ky. — Volunteers at the Old Georgetown Cemetery are at odds with the city’s mayor, Burney Jenkins. Those with the cemetery purchased a sign and hung it up at the entrance, however the city had it taken down.

What You Need To Know

  • Volunteers at the Old Georgetown Cemetery had a sign put up at the entrance to the cemetery, which states its current name, as well as its previous name and some information about the cemetery's history

  •  The city had the sign taken down after it was put up, which left volunteers feeling upset and wanting answers as to why the sign couldn't stay up

  •  Willa Relford Gentry is one of the volunteers and has been conducting research on the Old Georgetown Cemetery for about two years

  • There will be a meeting to discuss next steps and to try to come up with a resolution

Willa Relford Gentry has been conducting research for cemeteries across Scott and Fayette counties for over 30 years. She is also an Army veteran, so two years ago when Gentry saw headstones of those from the U.S. Colored Troops and 9th and 10th Calvary at the Old Georgetown Cemetery, it upset her that their history was not known.

“That bothers me,” said Gentry. “That needs to be documented. Those men fought for their freedom and they need to be recognized that they’re here.”

For the past two years, she has taken part in researching information about those who are buried there. The cemetery is estimated to have about 2,400 graves. New headstones have also been ordered and put up to replace damaged ones.

“Their voices need to be heard, and as long as I live, they will be heard,” said Gentry.

Gentry, along with other members of the Scott County African American Heritage Association, created a sign to be hung by the entrance, but it was ultimately taken down by the city.

“When I pulled up right there, J.R. called me on the phone and said that somebody from the city told him that the mayor told him to take the sign down and bring to it to his office,” said Gentry.

This has left those involved with the cemetery confused and wanting answers why the sign was taken down.

“We don’t know and until we find out, you know, we’re gonna be over here, we’re gonna be in the media, we’re gonna be in the news,” said Terry Thomas, the president of the Scott County African American Heritage Association. “Whatever it takes for us to get this project completed.”

“The signage was removed because the City was not consulted regarding the sign’s placement, the narrative on the sign, etc.,” said Mayor Jenkins in a statement. “The City of Georgetown has no opposition to this initiative; as the party ultimately responsible for the maintenance of this public cemetery, we simply need to be involved in the process. We look forward to working with interested members of the community to develop a sign that honors the historic Old Georgetown Cemetery and have already scheduled meetings to discuss this effort in greater detail.”

A meeting between members of the Scott County African American Heritage Association and the city is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28.

“The answer to developing a new sign is you can’t show me what’s wrong with that sign,” said Gentry. “Everything that’s on that sign is historical. Everything that’s on that sign is documented so what is the problem?”

The Old Georgetown Cemetery was previously called the Old Colored Cemetery, as stated on the sign, until a few years ago.

The owner of the cemetery is unknown, according to court documents.

 

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