Dolly Marshall, a Camden, NJ native, historic preservation activist, historic preservation specialist for the City of Camden, and a trustee of Mount Peace Cemetery in Lawnside, New Jersey, was awarded the prestigious Emerging Leaders in Historic Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The award was presented during the opening ceremony of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference, PastForward, held in New Orleans on October 28. This award recognizes “an emerging leader in the preservation field who has made significant achievements in preservation and highlights the promise and potential of the preservation field through its talented emerging leaders.”
This award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation is just one of many Dolly has received for her work at Mount Peace Cemetery. She was the 2021 recipient of the David H. Knights New Preservation Initiatives Award from Preservation New Jersey, which honors an organization or individual who has created new initiatives and opportunities for preservation, education, and/or community engagement in New Jersey.
Mount Peace Cemetery founded in 1900, during a time when African Americans were excluded from other non-secular burial grounds. Located in Lawnside, NJ, a settlement that was a haven for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, Mount Peace Cemetery was created to offer greater respect and a proper burial space to African American communities in Camden County. It serves as the final resting place of many extraordinary citizens and notable African Americans, including Civil War veterans Rev. Alexander Heritage Newton and Medal of Honor recipient John H. Lawson. In addition, veterans of all foreign wars, African royalty, and persons listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book are buried here. Mount Peace Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, is a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site and is listed on the African American Civil Rights Network.
Dolly has been committed to restoring the cemetery and advocating for its preservation through community engagement and public education on the cultural and forgotten achievements of African American pioneers. Dolly has uncovered important untold stories regarding many individuals at Mount Peace, including their connections to the Underground Railroad, and discovered many of her own ancestors buried at the cemetery. For Dolly, “cemetery preservation goes beyond the physical upkeep; it is about conserving the stories and memories engraved in the headstones. These spaces hold a rich tapestry of history, illustrating the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those laid to rest. Involving the community in the preservation of cemeteries not only safeguards these historical sites but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and belonging among residents.”
Through Dolly’s vision, she has implemented many new initiatives to raise the profile of Mount Peace Cemetery. She has garnered regional and national attention by engaging with the media, with articles and news stories featured in the Courier Post, Burlington County Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 6ABC Action News, New Jersey Network’s New Jersey Matters, NJ 101.5, Fox 29 News and CBS Philadelphia. She is continuously seeking new ways to collaborate with businesses and other organizations who understand the significance of preserving the past for a brighter future.
While the news spotlight on the work at Mount Peace Cemetery is critical for public awareness, for Dolly, real progress comes from those working onsite at the grassroots level. Dolly hopes that public education through volunteering, research studies and events will inspire young people to get involved in preservation projects. She believes that to preserve the history of the past, one must look to the future: “By involving young individuals in preservation projects, communities can cultivate a new generation of stewards passionate about conserving historical sites. Encouraging schools, youth organizations, and local clubs to participate in preservation efforts not only imparts valuable skills but also fosters a sense of respect for history and the environment, nurturing future preservationists who will carry the torch forward.”
As Mount Peace Cemetery approaches its 125th anniversary in 2025, information on tours, semi-annual clean ups and upcoming special events such as Wreaths Across America on December 14th can be found at https://www.mtpeacecemeteryassociation.org/
Dolly Marshall is a historian and preservationist committed to interpreting hidden African American history through education, community engagement, and partnerships across the State of New Jersey and nationally. Through her leadership to restore Mount Peace Cemetery, a place where African Americans in 1900 could be buried with dignity, as they were not allowed in Whites-only cemeteries, Dolly has uncovered important untold stories, including its connection to the Underground Railroad, as well as the location of her own ancestors. She currently serves as the Historic Preservation Specialist for the city of Camden, NJ.
Dolly is a wonderful inspiration! Thank you for all you have done.