Welcome!

Who are we?

Friends of Sons and Daughters of Ham, Inc. is a Virginia organization incorporated as a non- profit. It is composed of descendants of the former Ham Council social and beneficial Order, which was formed by emancipated slaves in the early period following the Civil War. Joining them are a number of individuals who have an interest in the Reconstruction Period and the years following, and who are especially dedicated to restoring and preserving the historic site of the Sons and Daughters of Ham Cemetery in Henrico County, just west of Richmond VA.

What do we want do?

In order to preserve the Ham Council cemetery, there are a number of goals we want to accomplish in the near future:

  • Clear and clean the property to promote community and neighborhood use and dissuade trespassing and vandalism.

  • Promote the conservation of the historic cemetery, which was and is significant to former emancipated slaves and their descendants.

  • Discover and restore the location of burial sites and traditional tomb markers, which have been lost or vandalized over the decades.

  • Increase public access to this historic site for the purposes of education and veneration.

  • Provide opportunities for participants to engage in scientific  research, professional study, preservation activities and advancement of the knowledge of history, especially as associated with the organizations known as the Sons and Daughters of Ham.

  • Incorporate an eco-friendly design in keeping with the concept of the Bandy Field nature park adjacent to the cemetery, using native species for the construction of a meditation garden

  • Sponsor, host and participate in events and activities that promote the purposes addressed above.

What can you do?

As the above list indicates, we have lofty goals, and that means we need all the help we can get! Are you interested in getting involved? If so, see the “Get Involved!” tab above to learn about volunteer opportunities.

We’d love to have you join us!