The mission of Historic Fair Hill, Inc. is to preserve our historic Quaker burial ground, to assure that its history and the ideals of the people interred there continue to speak to the world, and to act as a collaborative partner in the revitalization of the Fairhill community through school partnerships for literacy, greening, and community engagement events.
Almost 300 years before the Historic Fair Hill property began its transformation into the community institution it is today, the land was the location of a tranquil cemetery, an active Quaker Meetinghouse, and an abundant garden. Once a Lenape trade route, the land was passed from William Penn to the local Quaker community. Over the following decades, the neighborhood grew up around the once rural burial ground. By 1994, the Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground had been neglected for many decades. The once lush cemetery, final resting place of several American human rights giants, such as Robert Purvis and Lucretia Mott, had become a dumping ground for junk and a popular location for drug deals. In 1994, a small but passionate group of Philadelphia Quakers banded together to buy the property and begin its gradual reclamation. They incorporated Historic Fair Hill as an organization and received 501c3 nonprofit status from the IRS.
By 2003, the burial ground was transformed into a verdant oasis in the Fairhill neighborhood. HFH began to look for ways it could grow to meet the needs of the community, which began with a community garden and a book drive for local schools. Today, we care for five community and school gardens and orchards where children learn about urban agriculture and help to feed the community. Our School Literacy Partnership staffs three school libraries, donates thousands of books to children and classrooms, and provides classroom and one-on-one literacy support at Julia de Burgos Elementary. The HFH property is a site of inspiring history and educational discovery; joyous free play and festive community events, fresh food and quiet sanctuary. The HFH organization is a partner and leader in the revitalization of the neighborhood.
