A group of archeologists and community members revealed that they are preserving the remains of a historic Black church and cemetery using drones.
Located in Delaware County, the church and cemetery, known as Archie’s Corner, is being mapped using drones. Using the new technology, anthropological archeologists, such as Jason Hermann from the University of Pennsylvania, are surveying the grounds to locate unmarked graves that are only visible from above.
Per those leading the charge to preserve the church and cemetery, however, a full restoration of the church and its surrounding area will most likely not be possible. The drones will help map out what is still salvageable, as most of the headstones have fallen over and a stone wall has completely collapsed.
With the available information, the leaders will then add signs where they can and mark any unmarked graves. They will also explore digitalizing the church. Through virtual reality, they will potentially enable visitors to view the church online.
“It holds in a lot of people in Chadds Ford’s heart,” said Jason Davis, a Pennsylvania resident, per CBS News. “So if they could rebuild it and make it something close to what it was, I think it would bring a lot of joy to a lot of people.”
In 1891, Archie’s Corner was founded by Lydia A. Archie, the first ordained woman to become a preacher at the African Union Methodist Protestant Church. Also known as “Mother Archie,” she turned the church into a center for community. Mother Archie lived on the property herself and, when she passed away in 1932, she was buried in the cemetery alongside 79 other members of the congregation.
Since her death, Andrew Wyeth, one of the most well-known realist artists of the 20th century, attempted to preserve his presence through his art. The lack of use, however, meant the site eventually fell into ruin. In 1954, Chadds Ford Township became the owner of the church and cemetery. Now working alongside Mother Archie’s Steering Committee, they have prioritized a preservation initiative for Archie’s Corner.
Their work was initially funded by the Certified Local Government Grant, which was awarded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. In 2023, with the funds, they undertook efforts to identify unmarked graves and clean up the site.
Last year, they also presented a new preservation plan, supported by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and Open Space Funds. The plan is currently in motion.
