The Columbian Harmony Cemetery was established as a resting ground for free blacks in Washington, D.C. Established by the Columbian Harmony Society in 1829, the cemetery was situated between Boundary Street (present-day Florida Avenue), S Street, and 6th Street NW. In 1848, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting new burial grounds in the city limits. Since the cemetery continued to expand, it was relocated to land on Rhode Island Avenue and 9th Street, NE in 1858, which was outside the city limits. In 1960, due to a lack of space and neglected care, the Harmony Cemetery (including the remains) was moved to Hyattsville, Maryland and renamed the “National Harmony Memorial Park.”

Payne’s Cemetery was established prior to 1880 in Washington, D.C. The land was located at 4724 Benning Road SE and was used primarily as a burial place for African Americans in the District. In 1961, Louis H. Bell purchased the property and attempted to disinter the remains from the cemetery. However, due to continuous neglect, many of the grave markers had been moved or destroyed. In 1969, Mr. Bell had the remains moved to the National Harmony Memorial Park in Maryland. The land that was once Payne’s Cemetery is now the Fletcher-Johnson Elementary School.