Sharing this story from Cleveland19.com in commemoration of Juneteenth 2021

 2021 is the first year for the official National Holiday of Juneteenth.  

In honor of this significant day in American History and what it meant in 1865 and what it means now, I share this wonderful heartfelt news story that comes from TV Channel 19 in Cleveland.  

"A former slave died a free man in Lakewood. More than a century later, he's honored with a grave marker."   This feature story is by reporter Sia Nyorkor.  

Mr. Ross Bassett, Vice President of the West Park Historical Society, provided a 15 minute presentation commemorating the life of Henry Wright that can be viewed at the end of this spotlight story.

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This wonderful story offers us a unique opportunity to learn about Henry Wright who died at age 108 - and lived in three centuries - but whose gravesite, sadly, had been unmarked; that is until now!   

This announcement is from Cleveland.com.: The Warrensville West Cemetery in Cuyahoga County will be receiving a restoration grant through the Ohio History Connection's Certified Local Government Program

In a special report chock full of specifics presented by Thomas Jewell for Cleveland.com, we learn about long overdue but now exceedingly encouraging news for the Warrensville West Cemetery that has 168 memorials listed for it on the website "Find A Grave."

The Warrensville West Cemetery in Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio is small but looms large in the county with its early history of being the second oldest burial ground in Cuyahoga County.

Per its description quoting from Find A Grave.:

The Warrensville West Cemetery "was established in 1811 and contains the Manx Settlers (often called Old Manx Cemetery), and the common grave of the North Union Shakers that were moved here from the Shaker Burial ground in 1905."

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More information can also be found from these sources.:
Shakeronline - A memorandum dated April 28, 2021, and;

The Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office - Certified Local Government program.

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We look forward to follow-up articles detailing the progress of the preservation improvements as they unfold at the Warrensville West Cemetery!

Lay Me Down to Rest: Ep. 23 Shiffler Cemetery