The City of Groveland continues working to restore the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery of Taylorville located near downtown Groveland. The cemetery, also known as the old Groveland cemetery, has been abandoned for more than 70 years.
Due to the extremely poor condition of the cemetery, the City needs additional funding to complete this project. In 2021, Groveland officials applied for the African American Cultural and Historical Grant. The purpose of the grant program is to provide funding for construction projects at facilities in Florida that highlight the contributions, culture, or history of African Americans. The video below was produced by members of the Groveland Fire Department and was part of the application city officials submitted to the Florida Department of State. In 2022, Groveland officials were notified that the application had been approved for $499,000 in funding, ranking #76 out of 152 applications.
“The support of not only the City, but the community behind this project has been phenomenal, and we're really looking forward to what The City of Groveland and all the volunteers in the community are doing to finally bring this project to fruition and bring respect, dignity and honor back to citizens interred here, including World War I veterans,” said Groveland Fire Department Chief, Chief Kevin Carroll.
To see the current burial information for the Oak Tree Union Colored Cemetery, visit Find a Grave®: Link Here
If you have any relatives located on the site or believe you may be related, please contact Groveland's Public Safety Public Information Manager, Sarah Panko at: sarah.panko@groveland-fl.gov.
If you would like to donate, please mail checks to: 156 S Lake Avenue, Groveland, FL. 34736
