Update: This discussion was postponed on February 28 and will take place at the next Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, March 28.

On Tuesday, February 28, at 6:00pm, the New Rochelle Planning Board will consider a request by the Westchester Torah Academy to extend their programming into the summer. Such a move requires Planning Board approval and is open to public comment at Tuesday’s meeting.

When the Torah Academy purchased the property that includes the African-American burial grounds at 150 Stratton, now referred to as “Carpenter Cemetery,” New RoAR joined with other community members to raise concerns about the future of the cemetery and called for its protection, restoration, and preservation. Burial records from 1860-1909 name more than 200 people buried in Carpenter Cemetery, many of whom have descendents still living in New Rochelle.

Since then, the City Council passed a resolution designating the cemetery as a local landmark, giving it some protection from development. The community continues to be concerned about the future of the African-American burial ground and has called for the city to acquire and restore it so that the Black ancestors buried there, and their descendants, are properly recognized and honored. 

The City has yet to publicly engage with the community regarding this and the future of Carpenter Cemetery.  The Planning Board meeting on Tuesday evening may be an opportunity for the community to start that conversation. 

When:  Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Where: City Hall, 515 North Avenue