Students put markers on unmarked graves

University of North Georgia (UNG) students recently partnered with the Dahlonega Cemetery Committee to put permanent markers on the unmarked graves of about 280 African Americans buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in the decades after the town was founded in 1833. Often overlooked are the stories of people of color, some free, and others who were enslaved, who found their way to Dahlonega as a result of the Georgia Gold Rush of 1829.

Rosann Kent, director of the Appalachian Studies Center and senior lecturer at UNG, has worked with the city on a variety of initiatives in the cemetery, but this was one of her favorites. She enlisted some of her Appalachian studies students and welcomed Honors Program freshmen to assist in honoring the memory of people whose initial markers were obscured by time.

"We all have a story and we all deserve to be remembered," Kent said.

Chris Worick, chairman of the Dahlonega Cemetery Committee, expressed gratitude for UNG's assistance. He enjoys helping students learn more about the people buried in Mount Hope and also how to clean headstones. Some of the Honors Program students have displayed academic posters at City Hall highlighting their work in the cemetery.

It's valuable to the students to be part of something bigger than themselves. They've been able to make friendships and hone their leadership skills.

Dr. Danielle Hartsfield

assistant director of the Honors Program on UNG's Dahlonega Campus and associate professor of elementary and special education

Sarah Ann Holcombe, a senior from Madison, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management, is a federal work study student and historical site manager at the Historic Vickery House. She enjoyed that a woman from the community with family buried in the cemetery joined the students during the work.

"This project was amazing and long overdue," Holcombe said. "We learned a lot from it."

Jesse Kronen, a freshman from Johns Creek, Georgia, is a member of the Honors Program and is pursuing a degree in political science. He said putting the permanent markers on the graves was a way of providing dignity to those who have gone before.

"It's been really fulfilling to do something that's so important to the history of your community," Kronen said.

Dr. Danielle Hartsfield, assistant director of the Honors Program on UNG's Dahlonega Campus and associate professor of elementary and special education, connected the Honors students with the project.

"It's valuable to the students to be part of something bigger than themselves," Hartsfield said. "They've been able to make friendships and hone their leadership skills."