Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Carson, CA is one of the oldest cemeteries to service Black and brown people in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
The History of Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery
Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery was founded in 1934 by a woman named Irene Morris, a Compton businesswoman, inspired by the need for her community to have a decent and honorable resting place. Cemeteries in California were segregated well into the 1960s leaving Black and brown people without respectable places for rest.
In partnership with local reverends and ministers, the creation of the 20-acre cemetery took 12 years to develop and plan before its official opening. Joe Lewis dedicated a plaque to honor the cemetery’s history in 1949. The cemetery is home to many of Los Angeles’ first Black residents and generations of community members since.
Irene Morris is connected to a familial legacy of cultural and community impact within the Los Angeles community. Her sister Della Williams co-founded the Wilfandel Club, the oldest African-American women’s club in LA. And her brother-in-law was world-renowned architect Paul R. Williams.
Community Volunteers of Lincoln
Late 2023, the owner of Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery had to surrender the space due to health issues, leaving the cemetery without the proper infrastructure to upkeep the grounds. Community volunteers have come together to organize regular clean ups and raise money to help keep the gates open for people to come and honor their loved ones.
Currently, our volunteers are working to develop a project plan fully revitalize the cemetery and keep its gates open for good— helping to preserve a crucial piece of LA history.
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Support the community.
To support the work being done at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, we are asking for people to:
Donate to our GoFundMe for overall revitalization of the cemetery.
Purchase equipment to provide our volunteers with equipment to upkeep the space via our Amazon Wishlist or through independent donations.
Spread awareness about the cemetery.
Join us at a clean up!
Follow our instagram @communityvolunteersoflincoln for regular updates.
Contact us.
For questions and sponsorships!
aisha3woods@gmail.com
(213)-352-0766