Olivewood Cemetery

Welcome to Olivewood Cemetery

Olivewood Cemetery is Houston’s first incorporated African American cemetery, established in 1875 just a decade after Emancipation. For years, nature and neglect threatened to erase this sacred ground.

Descendants of Olivewood

Welcome to

Descendants of Olivewood Cemetery

Olivewood Cemetery is Houston’s first incorporated African American cemetery, established in 1875 just a decade after Emancipation. For years, nature and neglect threatened to erase this sacred ground.

ABOUT OLIVEWOOD

About Descendants of Olivewood

Olivewood Cemetery is Houston’s first incorporated African American cemetery, established in 1875 just a decade after Emancipation. For years, nature and neglect threatened to erase this sacred ground. Today, through the work of descendants, volunteers, and community partners, Olivewood is being restored as a place of history, memory, and dignity.

Restoration & Preservation

Education & Connection

Honoring Legacy

Cultural Landmark

Our Mission

Descendants of Olivewood, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring, preserving, and maintaining Olivewood Cemetery. We see the cemetery as more than a burial ground. It is a cultural landmark, an educational resource, and a living archive that connects the past to the present. By protecting this sacred space, we ensure that the lives and contributions of Houston’s African American community are never forgotten.

MORE ABOUT US

ABOUT OLIVEWOOD

About Descendants of Olivewood

Olivewood Cemetery is Houston’s first incorporated African American cemetery, established in 1875 just a decade after Emancipation. For years, nature and neglect threatened to erase this sacred ground. Today, through the work of descendants, volunteers, and community partners, Olivewood is being restored as a place of history, memory, and dignity.

Restoration & Preservation

Education & Connection

Honoring Legacy

Cultural Landmark

Our Mission

Descendants of Olivewood, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to restoring, preserving, and maintaining Olivewood Cemetery. We see the cemetery as more than a burial ground. It is a cultural landmark, an educational resource, and a living archive that connects the past to the present. By protecting this sacred space, we ensure that the lives and contributions of Houston’s African American community are never forgotten.

MORE ABOUT US

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities at Olivewood

Preservation at Olivewood is powered by volunteers. From clearing overgrowth and cleaning headstones to conducting oral histories and helping with research, there are many ways to contribute. Our regular clean-up days on the first and third Saturday of each month bring together people from across Houston who share a commitment to preserving this historic cemetery.

Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping

Help preserve the beauty of Olivewood by trimming, clearing overgrowth, and maintaining the natural landscape.

Headstone Cleaning & Restoration

Assist in carefully cleaning and restoring historic headstones to honor those laid to rest.

Oral History Collection

Engage with descendants to record stories that keep Olivewood’s legacy alive for future generations.

Grounds Maintenance & Landscaping

Help preserve the beauty of Olivewood by trimming, clearing overgrowth, and maintaining the natural landscape.

Headstone Cleaning & Restoration

Assist in carefully cleaning and restoring historic headstones to honor those laid to rest.

Oral History Collection

Engage with descendants to record stories that keep Olivewood’s legacy alive for future generations.

Historical Research & Archiving

Support efforts to document, research, and organize historical records of those interred at Olivewood.

Community Events & Outreach

Collaborate on public events, workshops, and education programs that connect the community to Olivewood’s mission.

Help in Your Own Way

We’d love to hear how you’d like to be part of Olivewood’s story.

CONTACT US

Since 1875

SUPPORT

Support Through Giving

Financial support is essential to long-term preservation. Donations provide resources for erosion control, headstone restoration, educational programming, and daily upkeep of the grounds. Whether through one-time gifts, recurring donations, or community programs, every contribution helps protect Olivewood’s legacy.

Ways to give include

One-time or recurring donations through PayPal or credit card

Text-to-Donate by sending “olivewoodcemetery” to 855-735-2437

Fundraising campaigns such as the Historic Olivewood T-shirt fundraiser

Community programs like Kroger Community Rewards

SUPPORT US

Since 1875

SUPPORT

Support Through Giving

Financial support is essential to long-term preservation. Donations provide resources for erosion control, headstone restoration, educational programming, and daily upkeep of the grounds. Whether through one-time gifts, recurring donations, or community programs, every contribution helps protect Olivewood’s legacy.

Ways to give include

One-time or recurring donations through PayPal or credit card

Text-to-Donate by sending “olivewoodcemetery” to 855-735-2437

Fundraising campaigns such as the Historic Olivewood T-shirt fundraiser

Community programs like Kroger Community Rewards

SUPPORT US
♰ When we preserve Olivewood, we honor the lives that built our future ♰ When we preserve Olivewood, we honor the lives that built our future ♰

Engagement

Events and Community Engagement

Olivewood serves as a gathering place for education and remembrance. Our calendar includes volunteer clean-up days, guided tours, and cultural programs that highlight the cemetery’s history and significance. These events bring people together to learn, serve, and honor the legacy of those at rest.

Volunteer Clean-Up Days

Join us on the first and third Saturday of each month to help restore and maintain the beauty of Olivewood.

Guided Historical & Cultural Tours

Experience the stories of Olivewood through guided tours that celebrate Houston’s rich African American heritage.

Educational Workshops

Engage students, churches, and community groups in learning about preservation, history, and cultural identity.

Community Commemorations & Cultural Programs

Celebrate together through events that honor ancestors, culture, and community legacy.

Our Database

Explore Our Database

At the heart of Olivewood is the record of more than 4,000 burials. Our searchable database allows families, researchers, and community members to learn more about the men, women, and children interred here. With every name and story preserved, we continue the work of connecting descendants to their history and honoring those who came before us.

CEMETERY RECORDS

GET IN TOUCH

Stay Connected with Us

We invite you to explore our website, learn more about Olivewood’s history, and join us in this important work. Follow us on social media for updates, browse our database to discover family stories, or sign up to volunteer at the next clean-up day. Together, we can ensure that Olivewood remains a place of remembrance, reflection, and community.

CONTACT US