Since the discovery of 361 unmarked graves in a section of The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, the town has struggled to find the best way to honor them. A marker was installed in early February, but was quickly removed after community members expressed concerns about its wording and design.

Since then, the town has formed a committee to design a new marker based on community input. Parks and Recreation director Jim Orr presented the committee’s suggestions during the public meeting Monday night.

“Tonight we’re here to ask you to approve resolution R3 that recommends the wording from the naming committee to honor those buried in sections A and B at the Chapel Hill Cemetery, and to authorize the manager to use the cemetery funds for the project.”

The Council Naming Committee received input from Reverend Robert Campbell, president of the Chapel Hill – Carrboro NAACP, as well as from other community members, the Cemeteries Advisory Board and UNC organizations.

Orr’s presentation of the committee’s decisions included a sketch of the proposed marker with its dimensions and quote.

Proposed Chapel Hill cemetery marker. Photo via Town of Chapel Hill.

Proposed Chapel Hill cemetery marker. Photo via Town of Chapel Hill.

“This particular slide on the left hand side is the actual wording and quote from George Moses Horton and on the right hand side is an actual concept linear picture.”

George Moses Horton was the first African-American man to publish a book in the South—and one of the first to publicly protest his slavery through poetry. An excerpt from his piece titled, “The Rising Sun,” was chosen for the marker’s inscription. It reads, “Thus we, like birds, retreat to groves and hide from ev’ry eye, our slumb’ring dust will rise and meet its morning in the sky.”

Mayor Pam Hemminger said that many people were involved with the selection process.

“It was a large community meeting. Parts of UNC were well represented at the meeting as well, and I contacted them today to make sure they understood what was being presented. I talked to Minister Campbell who I think is going to be speaking with us a little bit later.”

In addition to the poem, the Cemeteries Advisory Board recommended an additional inscription on the marker.

‘”In honor of these buried here in unmarked graves’ with the date of September 18, 2016. That will be at the cemetery to unveil the marker,” Orr said.

The September 18 ceremony will take place in the cemetery with a reception at the UNC School of Government.

One of the main concerns about the previous marker was its size. Councilwoman Donna Bell raised this concern again during Monday’s meeting.

“Part of the conversation that was had about the size of the marker was to make sure that that it was easily seen when someone came by, and especially if they were coming by at some distance. And so I have a concern that if that inscription is at the very bottom of the marker that it might get lost.”

Orr addressed this concern and offered the construction of a prototype marker.

“I do remember the conversation about the concern from Reverend Campbell and the group about looking down at the previous marker – that’s why this one is much larger. When you’re standing there you basically will be looking eye level and the top line of the quote.”

Orr estimates the marker will cost $4,100 which will be taken from the Cemetery Beautification Fund.

A unanimous vote approved the marker’s revisions and will allow the group to move forward with the marker’s construction and installation.

The Memorial Cemetery was also discussed during Monday’s meeting when Orr recommended the implementation of a columbarium project – which is the installation of vaults designed to hold urns. The council approved his recommendation and will review the designs and fees in the fall.