Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages Participates in Unveiling of Cherry Lane Memorial Garden
Memorial Garden marks the place of Cherry Lane Cemetery, a desecrated burial ground of local African American residents
New memorial provides a dignified space for reflection and remembrance
Assemblywoman Solages (second from left) with descendants of Benjamin Prine, local leaders, and Staten Island community members unveiling the plaque at the Cherry Lane Memorial Garden, August 24, 2024. Credit: Office of Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.
Assemblywoman Solages (second from left) with descendants of Benjamin Prine at the plaque marking the Cherry Lane Memorial Garden, August 24, 2024. Credit: Office of Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.
Assemblywoman Solages presenting citations from Assemblyman Charles Fall to Santander Bank and David Thomas (right), a descendant of Benjamin Prine, August 24, 2024. Credit: Office of Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.
The plaque commemorating the Cherry Lane Cemetery at the Cherry Lane Memorial Garden, August 24, 2024. Credit: Office of Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages.
Staten Island, NY – Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages was honored to participate in the recent unveiling ceremony of the Cherry Lane Memorial Garden, which took place on Saturday, August 24th, at 1440 Forest Avenue, Staten Island. The event marked a significant moment for the community as they gathered to commemorate the history of the former Cherry Lane Cemetery and the lives interred there.
Nearly 1,000 men, women, and children are believed to rest below the pavement of the parking lot at 1440 Forest Avenue in Staten Island. Before being paved over in the 1950s, this area was the site of the Second Asbury AME Church and the accompanying Cherry Lane Cemetery, an African burial ground that served as the final resting place of local African American residents and former slaves. Long forgotten in the records of history, Cherry Lane is now getting some of the recognition it deserves.
Benjamin Prine, one of the individuals interred at Cherry Lane, was the last living person on Staten Island to have been born into slavery. He was reportedly 106 years old at the time of his death in 1900. Though forgotten in the decades following his passing, Prine was a well-known figure in the 19th century, receiving an obituary in the New York Times and in newspapers across other states. His descendants attended the unveiling and spoke powerfully about reconciliation and the importance of recognizing those who were buried at this historic site. Speakers emphasized the importance of making right the injustices of the past and respecting those whose final resting place had been desecrated.
The Cherry Lane Memorial Garden is the result of a collaborative effort led by Santander Bank, which worked out an agreement with the landlord and generously financed the project. The extensive landscaping, masonry work, and a new irrigation system have transformed the site into a peaceful and respectful memorial space. Central to the garden is a 6,000-pound boulder, carefully selected and engraved with a plaque to honor the memory of those who were once laid to rest in the Cherry Lane Cemetery.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by descendants of those interred, the Staten Island chapter of the NAACP, and several local elected officials. The presence of such a diverse and dedicated group underscored the significance of this memorial, which stands as a testament to the community’s shared history and values.
On May 20th, a determined crowd braved the rain and gathered at the site to attend a street co-naming ceremony. The street that runs adjacent to the Cherry Lane site, Livermore Avenue in Port Richmond, is now also known as Benjamin Prine Way.
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages expressed her deep appreciation for the effort and collaboration that made the Cherry Lane Memorial Garden a reality. “The Cherry Lane Memorial Garden is not just a tribute to those who have passed, but a symbol of our commitment to preserving the history and culture of our communities,” said Assemblywoman Solages. “It is through efforts like this that we ensure our past is never forgotten, and that we continue to honor those who came before us.”