Understanding Baton Rouge’s Black Cemeteries

Kenny Kleinpeter has been researching, restoring, and recording historic cemeteries in the Baton Rouge Area for over 25 years. The most challenging of these are the resting places of our black community namely, Lutheran and Sweet Olive Cemeteries. Little or no documentation makes it particularly difficult to understand how and when these cemeteries started, who owns them and who should take care of them. We suspect that some graveyards got their start before the Civil War as cemeteries for enslaved individuals, making them archaeologically important. Understanding and appreciating the culture of the black community is critical to the accurate and dignified restoration of these sacred grounds. Journey with us as we seek to understand some of the struggles and successes.

This program will be live streamed via Zoom for those unable to attend. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent out to registered guests the day of the event.