As a result of cemetery research and preservation Grace Heritage has developed a sizable archival collection that includes sources about Southern Hills Cemetery, the historically African American surrounding community, in addition to the broader African American community in Gadsden and Etowah County. The collection includes obituaries, pamphlets and brochures, photographs, and other primary sources, plus newspaper clippings, books, and oral history interviews. Grace Heritage welcomes scholars and genealogists interested in reviewing its collections. A finding aid will be available at a later date. Please contact us for more information.
In addition to Grace Heritage, local collections featuring African American history in Gadsden and Etowah County include Central-Carver Legacy Museum, the Gadsden Public Library, and the Gadsden Museum of Art.
African American life in Gadsden can also be gleaned from other archives across the state like the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Grace Heritage can provide information on potentially helpful repositories beyond Etowah County.
Grace Heritage Community Development 