CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Black Georgetown Foundation to Host Town Hall on Protecting Historic Black Cemeteries Amid DDOT Construction
Community meeting will address cemetery preservation, possible unmarked burials, DDOT construction impacts, and government accountability on Aug. 4 at Georgetown Library in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – Many know this area as 27th and Q, the end of 27th Street, or the path toward Rock Creek Park.
Black Georgetown Foundation pushed for the city to address long-standing flooding damage to the Mt. Zion–Female Union Band Society Cemeteries. That work is now visible through construction, traffic changes and public access issues around Q Street, 27th Street, Mill Road, and Lyons Mill Road.
But records obtained by BGF identify probable burials in the DDOT right-of-way, and serious questions remain about where those burials are, how they will be protected, why BGF was not fully informed and what safeguards are required as city work continues near this historic Black burial landscape.
Join us for a community town hall on cemetery protection, DDOT work, public access and agency accountability.
Hosted and moderated by Lisa Fager, executive director of the Black Georgetown Foundation, expert panel features:
- Sara C. Bronin
GW Law; Former Chair, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
- Dr. Joseph Jones
William & Mary / Institute for Historical Biology
- Delande Justinvil
American University, Anthropology Ph.D. Candidate
DDOT, OP/HPO, DC Water, NPS/Rock Creek Park, Councilmember Pinto’s Office, the Mayor’s Office, and ANC 2E have been invited to attend and respond to community questions.
The town hall will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at the Georgetown Library, 3260 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Please share with neighbors and others who care about protecting Georgetown’s historic Black burial landscape.
#BlackGeorgetown #GeorgetownDC #CemeteryProtection #BlackCemeteries #HistoricPreservation #BurialGroundProtection #DDOT #27thAndQ #WashingtonDC
Thanks for reading the whole story!
At Atlantic City Focus, we're committed to providing a platform where the diverse voices of our community can be heard, respected, and celebrated. As an independent online news platform, we rely on a unique mix of affordable advertising and the support of readers like you to continue delivering quality, community journalism that matters. Please support the businesses and organizations that support us by clicking on their ads. And by making a tax deductible donation today, you become a catalyst for change helping to amplify the authentic voices that might otherwise go unheard. And every contribution is greatly appreciated. Join us in making a difference—one uplifting story at a time!
