On April 16, at 10 a.m., a tour of a forgotten burial ground will take place at Oakley Corners in the Town of Owego. The orientation for the hike will take place at Bement-Billings Farmstead, and the cost is $3 for adults, and $2 for students.
In the 1950’s Ed Nizalowski was told of a black burial ground in the Oakley Corners State Forest by his father, but it wasn’t until 1981 that Ed was able to visit the site. This visit sparked a desire to learn if there was any truth behind the story. By examining census records, he was able to prove that blacks lived on a farm belonging to Madison Livermore in the 1870’s. When looking at other information pertaining to blacks, Ed discovered an Afro-American past in Tioga County that stretched back to the mid-1700’s.
Ed has led hikes since 1992. He will be giving an orientation session concerning the hike starting at 9 a.m. inside the Herrick Barn at the Bement-Billings Farmstead. It will include information relating to the burial ground, Black history in Tioga County, a history of the farm that is now the state forest and some tips on how to interpret the rural landscape. The hike has become much more than just an interesting aspect of local Black history. It will help give a glimpse of how primeval wilderness was transformed into a highly productive farm that is now a state forest.
Ed is following through this year on two aspects of local African-American history of national significance. He believes that a prominent Owego abolitionist, Hammon D. Pinney, gave assistance to fugitive slaves at his Owego home. He is nominating this individual for the Network to Freedom established by the National Park Service as well as the Abolitionist Hall of Fame in Peterboro, N.Y. He also believes that Owego had its own Rosa Parks, but over a century earlier. An Owego barber, Richard W. Thompson, took a Southern Tier railroad to court for alleged discrimination in 1851. The court decided in his favor and he was awarded damages.
Please note, those not wishing or unable to go to the orientation session for the burial ground hike should meet at 10 a.m. at Oakley Corners, a spot near the center of the Oakley Corners State Forest. 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. The hike is normally done rain or shine, but severe weather may result in postponement.
Contact Ed by phone at (607) 642-8075 or email ed.nizalowski@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
