Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Incorporated - PAAC

Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Incorporated - PAAC The Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Inc.

was founded in 2003 by a group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and documenting African American cemeteries. Forming a state wide organization would bring an awareness to African-American communities of the need to preserve cemeteries that are rarely documented. To educate the masses on how infrequently our cemeteries appear on maps and how they are almost never shown on historic plats. These l

ost and forgotten cemeteries interpret the lives of the people buried there as well as the establishment of settlements and communities. With so many being lost to abandonment, nature, development and vandals their arose the need for the protection and documentation of these cemeteries and citizens contained therein.

📣 The AAHGS Arkansas Chapter, PAAC, and PAAC Junior Third-Quarter Newsletter is here!Inside this issue:🔸 Third-Quarter Z...
08/08/2026

📣 The AAHGS Arkansas Chapter, PAAC, and PAAC Junior Third-Quarter Newsletter is here!

Inside this issue:

🔸 Third-Quarter Zoom meeting and speaker presentation
🔸 “The Road Remembers: Louisa Mangrum and the Legacy of Camptown”
🔸 Summer genealogy and cemetery-preservation highlights
🔸 PAAC Conference honorees
🔸 Our 2026 scholarship winners
🔸 PAAC Junior’s Pow Wow adventure
🔸 Back-to-school activities and volunteer opportunities
🔸 Tributes honoring cherished members of our community

We invite you to explore the stories, achievements, and activities that continue our mission of researching family history, preserving African American heritage, supporting young people, and honoring those who came before us.

Please read, enjoy, and share our newsletter with your family and friends!

Good morning! Join us at 10:30 am central for our 3rd Quarter Meeting.Tamela Tenpenny is inviting you to a scheduled Zo...
08/08/2026

Good morning! Join us at 10:30 am central for our 3rd Quarter Meeting.

Tamela Tenpenny is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: AAHGS & PAAC 2026 3rd Quarter Meeting
Time: Aug 8, 2026 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81281125873?pwd=YklmwauILCYej1hzAJL3sSprsE2uZN.1

Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/81281125873

Meeting ID: 812 8112 5873
Passcode: 320540

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One tap mobile
+13462487799,,81281125873 #,,,,*320540 # US (Houston)
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Grab a laptop and dig into the past.Friday, July 10, from 10 AM to 12 PM, Preservation of African American Cemeteries, I...
07/07/2026

Grab a laptop and dig into the past.

Friday, July 10, from 10 AM to 12 PM, Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Incorporated - PAAC Junior is bringing a hands-on cemetery preservation workshop to The Studio at Laman (Studio A, Rotunda), built for curious tweens and teens who like a good mystery and a family tree to climb.

Over two hours, they will learn to use Google Earth to locate cemeteries and pick up the basics of family history research, tracing an ancestor through the details of a whole life. It is best suited to ages 10 to 18 who are comfortable around computers and interested in where they come from. Laptops are provided, and parents and guardians are welcome to join in.

PAAC Junior, established in 2009, trains young people to document, protect, and tell the stories of Arkansas's historic and forgotten cemeteries, so those histories are not lost to neglect, vandalism, or development.

You're Invited: "From the Cradle to the Grave"Join us for a special two-day family history and cemetery preservation wor...
06/09/2026

You're Invited: "From the Cradle to the Grave"

Join us for a special two-day family history and cemetery preservation workshop series at the William F. Laman Public Library System!

Whether you're just beginning your family history journey, trying to break through a genealogical "brick wall," or interested in preserving local history, this free event is for you.

📅 June 12–13
⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Lecture Hall, William F. Laman Public Library Main Branch
2801 Orange Street, North Little Rock, AR

Highlights include:
✨ Expert presentations on genealogy research and cemetery preservation
✨ Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis sharing the history of Odd Fellows Cemetery
✨ Representatives from Preservation of African American Cemeteries (PAAC)
✨ Tips for documenting family stories and local landmarks
✨ Opening of a permanent exhibit honoring the history of Odd Fellows Cemetery and the Military Heights neighborhood.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FREE and open to all ages!
📝 No registration required.

Come discover your roots, connect with your community, and help preserve the stories that shaped our neighborhoods. We look forward to seeing you there!

ATTENTION!! Please share this information. The Preservation of African American Cemeteries invites you to attend our "1...
05/04/2026

ATTENTION!! Please share this information.

The Preservation of African American Cemeteries invites you to attend our "17th" Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference.

***The Ancestors are Calling*** and we are asking YOU to join us in the work of protecting our cemeteries, honoring those that have gone before us and restoring pride.

As with all elements of our historic past, traditions are only kept alive because they have been passed on from generation to generation. But somewhere along the way, the tradition of involving our youth in the commitment and dedication in the upkeep of our family gravesites has been lost. We are recruiting for PAAC Junior.

Please help us in this effort by spreading the word and volunteering your kids, grandkids, great grands. We need them to walk behind us as we have walked behind others!

BELOW is the link to register and attached you will find the speaker schedule and information about our organization. We have put together a great group of individuals that are experts in their fields. Hope to see you there!

https://form.jotform.com/261218997038164

Hello AAHGS & PAAC Current and Past Members, Family & Friends! Below is the link for today's AAHGS and PAAC meetings. T...
04/25/2026

Hello AAHGS & PAAC Current and Past Members, Family & Friends! Below is the link for today's AAHGS and PAAC meetings.

Topic: AAHGS & PAAC 2026 2nd Quarter Meetings
Time: Apr 25, 2026 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83065234097?pwd=FuwlztQWakVlEKbn1Fx2rRaRFyrfzV.1

Meeting ID: 830 6523 4097
Passcode: 755582

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Save the Dates!!!May 15–16, 2026PAAC Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation ConferenceJune 12–13, 2026From the Cradle to ...
04/11/2026

Save the Dates!!!
May 15–16, 2026
PAAC Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference

June 12–13, 2026
From the Cradle to the Grave
AAHGS/PAAC Genealogy Workshop
🕘 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Laman Library Lecture Hall

July 10, 2026
Cemetery Preservation with PAAC Junior Preservation Society
🕙 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 The Studio @ Laman

🌴✨ Join Us for an Unforgettable Savannah Getaway! ✨🌴PAAC & AAHGS invite you to travel with us to the historic South on a...
02/28/2026

🌴✨ Join Us for an Unforgettable Savannah Getaway! ✨🌴

PAAC & AAHGS invite you to travel with us to the historic South on a 7-day, 6-night motorcoach tour to Savannah, Georgia, Jekyll Island & Beaufort, SC — Sept 27 – Oct 3, 2026.

🚌 Departing: Little Rock & West Memphis
🏨 6 nights lodging (4 in the Savannah area)
🍽️ 10 meals included
🎭 Savannah Theatre evening show
⛪ Visit the historic First African Baptist Church
🌿 Guided tours of Savannah, Beaufort, St. Simons & Jekyll Island
🏝️ Free time on River Street & coastal islands
💲 $1111 per person (double occupancy)
📅 Reserve with $75 deposit | Final due July 20, 2026

📞 Reserve your seat today:
Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis
(501) 425-5578

Travel with friends, explore rich history, and make lasting memories on this beautiful coastal adventure! 🌅

Thank you to AAHGS and PAAC member Kathy Anderson for sharing her time, insight, and passion at Keeping Our Stories Aliv...
02/26/2026

Thank you to AAHGS and PAAC member Kathy Anderson for sharing her time, insight, and passion at Keeping Our Stories Alive: Honoring Central Arkansas’s Community Storytellers.

Kathy’s work with Project 365 and her commitment to preserving local history continue to inspire our community. We’re grateful she joined fellow storytellers Angel Burt and Nancy Robinson Lott to uplift the places and people that shape Central Arkansas.

📍 UA Little Rock Downtown
🗓️ February 17, 2026
LittleRock

AAHGS and PAAC were proud to participate in the CALS 2026 Black Family Expo! ✨AAHGS and PAAC members hosted a display ta...
02/21/2026

AAHGS and PAAC were proud to participate in the CALS 2026 Black Family Expo! ✨

AAHGS and PAAC members hosted a display table highlighting family history and genealogy, where attendees learned about families with strong ties to Central Arkansas’s Black history and explored CALS resources for preserving their own family stories.

Address

Little Rock, AR
72221

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15014255578

Website

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