Hike to the Black Burial Ground

On Saturday, April 10, Ed Nizalowski will lead a hike to the Black burial ground in the Oakley Corners State Forest in the Town of Owego.

In 1961, Ed Nizalowski's father told him about the existence of the burial ground in Tioga County. In 1981, Ed Nizalowski finally saw a black burial ground in the Oakley Corners State Forest in the Town of Owego. This visit sparked his interest and he spent a long time trying to determine the truth of this particular story. It eventually led to the discovery of an Afro-American past in Tioga County which stretched back to the early 1700s.

Nizalowski has had several articles written about his research in the journal Afro-Americans in New York Life and History. He also made a commentary for Monitor Radio and was featured on WBNG's Action News for Kids.

Since 1992, Ed Nizalowski has led hikes to the Black burial ground. He will also be sharing the information he has learned concerning the Livermore Farm, which was one of the farms bought by New York State in 1993 to create the state forest. Some of the natural history of the area will also be included. The hike has become much more than just an interesting aspect of local Black history. It touches on the remarkable transformation of a primeval wilderness into a highly productive farm that has once again become the realm of nature. It is a microcosm for many of the hill farms that once covered much of the eastern United States.

Anyone interested in the hike should meet at Oakley Corners which is near the center of the Oakley Corners State Forest at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 10. The hike is a relatively easy one with a well marked trail. Oakley Corners is three miles from the juncture of Wade Hollow and Route 38 (Wade Hollow is three miles south of the stoplight in Newark Valley on Route 38 or six miles north of the Village of Owego.) Travelers from the Triple Cities can take Dutchtown Road for about two miles off of Route 38B. For more information, call (607) 642-8075. The hike is normally done rain or shine, but severe weather may result in postponement.