The cemetery project includes archeological discovery and related research on the people and activities at Whitemarsh/Sacred Heart to better understand, document, and tell the story of those who lived, worked, worshipped, and were buried there. This will initially focus on the cemetery and recently found hillside grave markers, and potentially include other burial places and structures such as slave quarters, tenant dwellings, barns, and outbuildings.

Some of this story has been told—particularly of the Jesuit (Society of Jesus) landowners and organizers of the first Catholic diocese in the U.S. and the creation of Georgetown University. The mostly untold story is of the enslaved people of African descent who lived and worked at Whitemarsh and other plantations, most of whom were sold to southern plantations in 1838.  Our intent is to memorialize and provide some measure of dignity to our brothers and sisters in Christ—particularly those who were not granted that in life as enslaved persons.

In collaboration with descendants, state and federal agencies, and historical societies, we will:
--Research, understand, and document the history of the cemetery and gather the names of those buried in it.
--Restore, preserve, and maintain the cemetery as a means of honoring and memorializing those buried in a sacred place.
--Research, understand, and document significant historical events, activities, and locations on the Whitemarsh/Sacred Heart property.
--Make the finished information accessible to various interested parties to increase understanding of the people and history of Whitemarsh/Sacred Heart.
--Facilitate reconciliation among those connected to Whitemarsh/Sacred Heart.
-- Promote a historical understanding of the impact of these communities on the broader communities in Maryland.