Artist Created Totem Pole at Historic Cincinnati Cemetery
Daniel Buford installed a commemorative sculpture at the United Colored American Cemetery in Madisonville.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in African-American
Daniel Buford has installed a new totem pole sculpture at the United Colored American Cemetery in Madisonville. The artwork serves as a tribute to the thousands of individuals buried at the site without formal grave markers.
Why it matters
The sculpture aims to provide long-overdue recognition for those interred in the historic space. This project highlights the preservation of Ohio's oldest Black cemetery, which was previously declared a public nuisance.
The sculpture, titled the wiping the tears totem pole, was created using a tree at the front of the cemetery. The artist spent a maximum of 4 hours per day crafting the face and attaching household tin faces to represent tears.
The players
Daniel Buford
He is the artist who created the memorial totem pole at the United Colored American Cemetery.
United Colored American Cemetery
It is the oldest Black cemetery in Ohio and serves as the final resting place for thousands.
The details
Buford carved a large face into a tree located at the entrance to the historic cemetery. He integrated salvaged metal tins from common household items onto the tree to symbolize the faces and tears of the deceased.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Date of article publication.
Culture Shift
This project represents a broader trend of reclaiming neglected historical sites through public art. The installation shifts the narrative of the site from its past designation as a public nuisance to a recognized space of cultural significance.
Residents can visit the entrance of the United Colored American Cemetery in Madisonville to view the new memorial. The sculpture offers a tangible way for the community to engage with the site's history and honor those buried there.
The takeaway
Memorial art can transform forgotten burial grounds into visible landmarks for the public. This project demonstrates how small-scale artistic interventions can help preserve the dignity of historic community sites.
Further reading
Discover more about local heritage at the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCPO.
