TCNJ

27 FALL 2022 But on a recent summer day, Algernon Ward, wearing the navy wool uniform and cap of a Union soldier, gazed cheerfully across the site toward a cluster of American flags. The garbage was gone, the burial ground newly revealed and bound by a wrought-iron fence. Though what remains is simply a grassy field, Ward sees a reclamation that has rescued the stories of at least 178 people, including 10 Civil War veterans, buried long ago. "They would have been lost — they were lost," Ward says. "We've pulled them out of history." Two years ago, when the city of Trenton sought help leading the re- development of Locust Hill, Ward — a retired research scientist, proud graduate of Trenton State College, and passionate historical reenactor — quickly raised his hand. As president of the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops, he'd already dedi- cated years of his life to spotlighting Black history throughout the state; this was a chance to make a difference in his hometown. Established in 1860 by the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Locust Hill Cemetery served as the city's main burial ground for middle- and upper-class Black families for decades before falling into disrepair. Its significance stems not only from its use as a sacred space but from its very existence; establishing a formal cemetery was a critical civic achievement for Trenton's Black community in the years after the Civil War. The restoration is only the begin- ning of Ward's expansive dreams for Algernon Ward 87 aims to preserve Trenton's Black history, including the stories of several Civil War veterans. the land surrounding it. He envisions Locust Hill as a place where the past propels the neighborhood's future and everyone is welcome: A building alongside the cemetery will become a museum, filled with artifacts and exhibits for historians and residents alike; a garden will introduce visitors to the area's ecological history; and an amphitheater along the creek will host local performers and reenactments. "It becomes the focal point; it becomes something around which we can build community," he says. "That's what's happening here." Ward's enthusiasm has been infec- tious, attracting a surge of support from local organizations, including the East Trenton Collaborative, the Trenton Kiwanis, and the William Trent House. For the past year, a steady stream of students and faculty from the science and humanities schools at The College of New Jersey have also road tripped to Trenton to help create detailed historical and ecological records of the site. So far, this corner of the industrial city has revealed an abundance of biodiversity, from red-bellied wood- peckers and great blue herons to scud shrimp and iridescent damselflies skimming the creek's surface. Ward describes the contribution from TCNJ as an essential component of his project, providing an academic foun- dation for ongoing studies that can cultivate a sense of curiosity and pride among Trenton's next generation. " If we can get young people excited about the ecological value of the place where they live, if they have a historical understanding of that place, they're going to appreciate it more," Ward says. "They're going to begin to assume ownership of it: This is my street; this is my community; this is my creek; this is my history." With the college supporting Ward's efforts, TCNJ students appreciate the value of their knowledge beyond the classroom. Saahil Patel '23, a biology

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