Innovative Community Solutions

Innovative Community Solutions aims to support minority and underserved communities in Appalachia by promoting community development. We are currently facilitating efforts to help save Middleway's Historic Black Cemetery.

The Middleway African American Burial Ground (also referred to as Slabtown and Weaver Family Cemetery) was established around 1872. After the original cemetery lot was full, burials continued across an adjacent property. Although that property was also deeded as a burial ground, it was mistakenly sold in the late 1960s. Even after the land was sold, it was still used as a burial ground until recent years. The current “owners” are now attempting to put a house on this cemetery property. Last February half of the graveyard was clear cut and a well was drilled soon after. Although work ceased for months, multiple construction vehicles are once again parked behind remaining headstones—signaling that the work will soon resume.

Many graves in this cemetery are unmarked or poorly marked with fragile metal markers or fieldstones. NO ONE should be guessing where burials begin and end. We hope to halt this construction project to assess the site for burials through the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR).

Up to this point, we have been unable to resolve this out of court. We have a lawyer to take the case and will need funds for legal fees associated with stopping this work to identify the location of burials and settling this land ownership dispute. Additional funds will go toward a land survey and ground penetrating radar costs.

We believe you will appreciate the long, arduous work done on a volunteer basis by Mrs. Reese. Her commitment to the preservation of African American cemeteries is extraordinary. We believe you will think so too.

Any contribution is greatly appreciated. If you have money, time or expertise, please reach out.