The Lincoln Cemetery Project Association (LCPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and protecting Lincoln Cemetery, Gettysburg’s only surviving historically Black cemetery, located on Long Lane. Established in 1867 by the Sons of Good Will, Lincoln Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 450 African American residents of Gettysburg and Adams County, including military veterans and community members whose lives contributed to the region’s history. Among the founding officers of the Sons of Good Will were Lloyd F.A. Watts, Basil Biggs, and Owen Robinson.
Since 1999, the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association has worked to care for and preserve this important historic burial ground. Under the longtime leadership of Betty Dorsey Myers, significant progress was made in maintaining the property and honoring those interred there. A new board of directors was elected in 2023 to continue these efforts and address the cemetery’s ongoing restoration needs.
Today, approximately half of the cemetery’s graves remain unmarked. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, LCPA is raising funds to rehabilitate the grounds, restore historical features, and ensure the cemetery is preserved for future generations.
Beyond preservation, the Association is committed to educating the public about the contributions and military service of African Americans throughout American history, including the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and other conflicts.
Through preservation, education, and community support, the Lincoln Cemetery Project Association works to honor the individuals laid to rest at Lincoln Cemetery and ensure their stories remain part of Gettysburg’s history.
