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From its inception, the cemetery was intended to serve the African American community. Greenwood is noteworthy for being the first non-sectarian commercial cemetery for African Americans in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The cemetery reflected the post-civil war trend toward segregation in all aspects of life-and death. In 1880 after 6 years of successful operation, Mr. Krueger purchased additional acreage increasing the cemetery from 10 to 31.85 acres.
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On March 1, 1999, the not-for-profit grass roots organization consisted of the descendant community and academic professionals, the Friends of Greenwood Cemetery, Inc., was established. The group’s goal was to restore and preserve the site for use as a historic park as well as an educational and tourism resource to celebrate St. Louis’s African American heritage. The Friends enlisted community support, coordinated volunteer labor and began to acquire donations and grants from such diverse groups and corporations as the Boy Scouts, employees of Southwestern Bell, Monsanto, Whitaker Foundation.
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The cemetery has proved to be a valuable teaching tool for students in the St. Louis County public schools as well as college and university students from University of Missouri-St. Louis and William Woods University, which have used the site to teach anthropology, history, mathematics, and other disciplines. Greenwood offers enormous promise as an educational and tourist resource. The compelling oral record regarding Greenwood leaves no doubt of its historic, cultural and social importance to St. Louis, and particularly St. Louis African Americans as a source of great pride.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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