Volunteers Restore Historic Knoxville Black Cemetery
The Mysterious Ten Cemetery on Oakland Drive is now prepared for a rededication ceremony following extensive cleanup efforts.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in African-American
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize the restoration and preservation of neglected historic cemeteries?
Community members have rehabilitated the historic Mysterious Ten Cemetery in Knoxville, clearing overgrowth to preserve the burial site of Black working-class residents. The project restores the dignity of a grounds where burials began at the turn of the 20th century.
Why it matters
The restoration ensures that the history of local Black working-class community members is preserved for future generations. It documents the legacy of figures like brick mason Patrick Henry Venable and Rev. Shepherd J. Jordan.
Located at 3945 Oakland Drive, the cemetery dates its burials to circa 1900. The project used a Tennessee America 250 grant to clear dead trees and restore headstones that had fallen into disrepair.
The players
Aaron Collins
A volunteer who collaborated with others to rehabilitate the historic site.
William Isom
A lead volunteer who participated in the restoration project.
Patrick Henry Venable
A brick mason who is among the Black working-class residents interred at the cemetery.
Shepherd J. Jordan
A reverend who served as the pastor of Foster Chapel starting in 1935.
Tennessee America 250
A grant-providing organization that funded the removal of dead trees at the cemetery.
The details
Volunteers Aaron Collins and William Isom spearheaded the initiative to clear brush and downed trees that previously obscured the site. The cemetery is linked to the United Brothers of Friendship, a fraternal organization originally established in 1861.
Timeline
1861: The United Brothers of Friendship was established.
1885: Patrick Henry Venable arrived in Knox County.
1900: Burials began at the Mysterious Ten Cemetery.
1935: Shepherd J. Jordan began his pastorate at Foster Chapel.
October 31, 2026: A rededication ceremony is scheduled for the site.
Culture Shift
This restoration reflects a growing nationwide trend toward reclaiming and documenting forgotten African American burial grounds. It follows a pattern set by the Tennessee America 250 grant program, which prioritizes the preservation of local history tied to the nation's 250th anniversary.
Residents in the Northeast Knoxville area can now access the historic grounds as a preserved site of communal memory. The cleanup removed physical hazards like dead trees and fallen debris, improving safety for those visiting the cemetery.
The takeaway
Preserving historic cemeteries ensures that the contributions of early Black working-class residents remain part of the public record. Residents interested in local preservation can look for similar community-led cleanup programs to support regional heritage sites.
What happens next
A rededication ceremony for the cemetery is scheduled to take place on October 31, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local history at the Knoxville African-American page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Knoxville News Sentinel.
Live Poll
Should your local community prioritize the restoration and preservation of neglected historic cemeteries?
