Searching for Lost Lives: The Cheltenham Youth Detention Center
By Mira Beinart
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services has taken significant steps towards uncovering a painful chapter in the state’s history by securing a $200,000 grant aimed at locating the remains of hundreds of boys near the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center. This initiative marks an essential stride towards formally recognizing and honoring the lives—often forgotten—of boys who tragically lost their lives in custody.
Understanding the Background
The Cheltenham facility, known historically as the House of Reformation for Colored Boys, was the first juvenile detention center for Black boys south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Established in 1870, it housed youth until its closure in 1941. During this period, records indicate an alarming number of deaths; an estimated 300 Black youths died while under its care. Many families have long awaited closure regarding the circumstances surrounding these tragic losses.
The Grant’s Impact
The newly awarded grant will facilitate a ground-penetrating radar survey, an essential tool for revealing hidden graves, alongside the restoration of the cemetery grounds where these boys are buried. According to the Maryland Historical Trust, approximately 230 boys are believed to lie in unmarked graves adjacent to the Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery.
Crystal Foretia, a former juvenile services researcher who played a pivotal role in drafting the grant, emphasized the importance of this project: “I want to find some decent way to restore dignity to these boys and to give some level of healing to their families.” Her words reflect not just a desire for investigation, but for justice and remembrance.
Cemetery Condition
The burial site is divided into two sections. The first section, established in the mid to late nineteenth century, boasts four identifiable headstones, although only three are legible. The second section, likely dating back to the early twentieth century, contains eight rows of broken cinderblock markers, with most remaining unidentifiable without further excavation efforts.
This visual representation of neglect highlights a stark reality: the stories of these boys have been largely overlooked by history. As Folretia outlined, a comprehensive survey is essential for understanding the cemetery’s layout and the number of individuals buried there before any restoration can take place.
Current Legislative Efforts
The urgency of the situation has resonated deeply within the community, prompting legislative discussions in Annapolis surrounding an independent investigation into the House of Reformation. The push for accountability is a priority for the Black caucus, who aim to uncover the systemic issues that led to so many needless deaths.
Historical Significance
Recent analyses by Capital News Service have scrutinized 142 death certificates from the detention center, revealing a painful climatology of abuse and neglect. This unearthing of historical records coincides with the grant’s arrival, suggesting a critical moment for both healing and historical redress.
As Elizabeth Hughes, the director and state historic preservation officer at the Maryland Historical Trust, stated, “This year’s awards will assist threatened places that are often overlooked but are deeply significant to Maryland’s Black history, including cemeteries and sites associated with fraternal organizations.” The initiatives funded by the Maryland Historical Trust stand as an acknowledgment of the importance of preserving African American history and culture.
Moving Forward
While the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is in the early stages of collaborating with local historians to uncover the truth surrounding the Cheltenham facility, the long journey toward healing has begun. The community and families affected are watching closely, hoping for not only answers but recognition of the past injustices faced by their loved ones.
As this unfolding story emphasizes, the work to restore dignity to those buried in the unkempt woods near the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center is more than just an investigation; it’s a commitment to remembering history, recognizing wrongs, and striving for healing. The pursuit of these boys’ stories is an integral step toward mending the fabric of our collective past.
