HISTORY In 1825, a small group of Washington's free African-Americans established the Harmoneon Society. At the time, free African-Americans joined together to create burial societies like the Harmoneon Society. These organizations would collect minimal dues from members to cover funeral expenses and sometimes extend financial support to their spouses and children. Harmoneon Society was specifically focused on supporting the sick and providing a dignified burial alternative to the colored-only sections of a few white cemeteries. NATIONAL HARMONY CEMETERY ESTABLISHED Mausoleum at National Harmony Memorial ParkToday, more than 180 years later, the burial grounds of the Harmoneon Society are known as National Harmony Memorial Park. The cemetery as we know it today started in the late 50s when the government contracted with National Harmony to take on the task of moving the historically African-American Columbian Harmony Cemetery (1857-1959), which had fallen into disrepair. According to the historical records, 37,000 earthly remains were disinterred from African-American Columbian Harmony Cemetery and reinterred at National Harmony—a massive effort. In 1969, a similar request moved another 2,000 interments to National Harmony from Payne's Cemetery. NOTABLE BURIALS Among those moved were many distinguished African-American citizens and Civil War veterans. Here are just a few: Florence Letcher Toms, one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta, an influential sorority out of Howard University. She collected elephant figurines, which are now collected by Deltas all over the world. Alvin Childress, a wonderful actor. His most famous role came as Amos Jones in the television comedy show Amos 'n' Andy. Osborne Perry Anderson, an abolitionist who fought as a Union soldier during the Civil War. He was the only surviving member of John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. Dr. Charles H. Flowers, the main flight instructor of the famous Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. HONORING PROMINENT AFRICAN-AMERICANS To honor our rich history, we have many sections of our cemetery named after prominent African-Americans. The Slade Section is named after William Slade, a community affairs leader who was once in charge of all hired staff at the White House. He was described as President Lincoln’s “friend and human comforter.” THE NORTHUP-REID TRIBUTE As a tribute to some of the great black figures in America’s history, we commissioned the Northup-Reid feature in 2017. This huge hunk of granite—an unmistakable and prominent feature of the cemetery—was built as a lasting tribute to Solomon Northup and Philip Reid. Solomon Northup was a free-born African-American who was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He wrote about his story in the memoir that was turned into the film 12 Years a Slave. Philip Reid was a slave who was instrumental in the Statue of Freedom, which sits atop the the U.S. Capitol. Philip solved an incredibly complicated architectural issue and used his know-how for the bronze casting of the statue. He was made a free man during the process, when Congress emancipated slaves living in the District of Columbia in 1862. We hope the Northup-Reid feature serves as a reminder of these great men and an inspiration to current generations and those to come. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EVENTS National Harmony Memorial Park is always looking for ways to make a positive contribution to our community. We love being a part of D.C. area, largely because of the great people here. We are support many local churches, working with the Affinity Group to visit churches and offer benefits to church members who make their funeral arrangements ahead of time. Veterans section at National Harmony Memorial ParkWe also host events on our grounds, including Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. For Memorial Day, we welcome people to come to visit the veterans buried here, often working all-hands-on-deck as a team to help people find the graves of certain servicemen or servicewomen. If you have a cause or organization that you think we could help, please let us know. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/hyattsville-md/national-harmony-memorial-park/9735