Progress! Update!
Anyone that has been out to Mt. Auburn recently has seen a "drastic" change in the topography. The grounds have been almost totally cleared by the Dept of Corrections inmates (as we have advocated for since the beginning of our journey 3 years ago).

Everything has been removed from trees (only a few standing), loose grave markers and stones (where did they go), animals, etc. The drawback is that a lot of the "intended shrubbery" that has been removed was once used as markers and path descriptions to the majority of the graves. This is great progress, nonetheless.

The records that we assisted in being bought to and placed at the Central Library in Baltimore list descriptions such as:
“Third grave from the large pine tree” or “Third grave from the Smith stone”.
The other very important job the shrubbery did was to “hold the ground steady” from erosion. This kept the plots covered and concealed.

Since the beginnings of Morgan State University root in Sharp Street Church (the stewards of the cemetery), they are also involved their Landscape Architecture and Museum Studies programs in the proposed future improvements on the grounds.

Along with the records being back home, (we are still trying to convince Sharp Street Church to release the rest of the records to the Central Library) I would say things are moving in the right direction. Exact grave locations or mapping actual graves, perpetual care and maintaining what has and will be done at the cemetery are on-going issues.

Families have stood together and made a strong impact on this progress. One united voice! We still need to convince the “powers that be” that family and outside (unrelated to the congregation) representation should be included, along with a historian, a financial advisor, and participation from Morgan State University and the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church (owners of the cemetery) in any future Boards created to oversee the cemetery going forward. I hope that this non-partisan board will stand to see that these hollowed grounds are preserved for generations to come.
More to come….

Here is another link to additional records housed at the Maryland State Archives:

lumoorman@preservationalliance.net