Dear editor:

I am writing to update you on the status of the Negro Burial Ground (also known as the Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground) on Mississagua Street. 

As you may recall, we envisioned raising and replacing the headstones to honour those buried there. The donations for this project have surpassed $20,000 and this funding allowed us to finance the first phase of the archeological assessment.

We have since determined that the project’s costs are higher than anticipated. Our fundraising team has had challenges raising the necessary funds due to the many worthwhile projects within the community competing for funding.

Therefore, the balance of the funds will be used to finance the activities outlined below and set up a maintenance fund for the cemetery. 

After discussions with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and with the support of town staff, we have developed an agreeable plan of action as an alternative to raising the headstones.

Using the generous donations already received, we plan to undertake the following activities: 

1. Delineate the site’s property lines to identify the area as a burial ground.
2. Request the owner of the existing fence to paint it or allow us to paint it, as it is quite worn and needs a fresh look. 
3. Build a memorial to install on the fence with the names of those buried there.
4. Ask the town to adjust existing signage to provide better site visibility. 

I appreciate your commitment to this project. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Friends of the Forgotten at info@friendsoftheforgotten.ca for more information. 

We appreciate your support. 

George Webber
Friends of the Forgotten chair