FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 17, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
DSands@BergenCountyNJ.gov
GETHSEMANE CEMETERY OPEN FOR JUNETEENTH COMMEMORATION
Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs invites public for self-guided tours of historic African American burial ground
(HACKENSACK, NJ) – In honor of Juneteenth, the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs (DCHA), invites the public to visit the historic Gethsemane Cemetery in Little Ferry for self-guided tours from Thursday to Saturday, June 19–21, from 12 PM to 4 PM.
Founded in 1860, Gethsemane Cemetery served as a final resting place for Hackensack’s African American community, who were denied burial in the general cemetery due to racial segregation. The site holds the graves of over 500 individuals, including formerly enslaved persons, local entrepreneurs, and two Civil War veterans.
The DCHA remains committed to elevating Black American history and preserving this vital cultural landmark. A visit to Gethsemane offers a powerful and reflective experience, highlighting an often-overlooked chapter of Bergen County’s past.
No reservations necessary.
- Who: Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs
- What: Self-guided tours of Gethsemane Cemetery
- When: Thursday–Saturday, June 19–21, 12 PM–4 PM
- Where: Gethsemane Cemetery – Between Summit Place & Liberty Street (entrance on Summit Place), north of Route 46, Little Ferry
- Why: To honor Juneteenth and illuminate an underrepresented story in local history
A recorded tour of Gethsemane Cemetery, featuring historian Dr. Arnold Brown of Englewood—whose advocacy was key to preserving the site—is available on YouTube. The Cemetery is owned by the County and is also open for private tours through the DCHA. For more information, contact 201-336-7272.
The Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs proudly supports the arts, history, and preservation, fostering a vibrant cultural landscape that sets Bergen County apart as a premier New Jersey destination.
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