At the MAH, history extends beyond our galleries and into the world around us. As a MAH Member, you help protect and share these spaces ensuring their histories are told for generations to come.
That’s why we proudly maintain three historic sites across Santa Cruz County: Evergreen Cemetery, the Davenport Jail, and the iconic Octagon Building at Abbott Square. These offsite locations help bring local history and culture into the everyday lives of our community.
This week, we’re highlighting Evergreen Cemetery. Established in 1858, it is one of the oldest public cemeteries in California and a place rich with the stories of Santa Cruz’s early residents. Tucked into a quiet, forested hillside next to Harvey West Park, Evergreen is the final resting place for a diverse range of people: gold prospectors, Civil War veterans, Chinese immigrants, artists, and more. It’s a museum without walls, open daily from sunrise to sundown, and cared for by the MAH and a dedicated team of volunteers.
We spoke with Jessie Durant, the MAH’s Archives Specialist, who enjoys bringing her own family to volunteer at Evergreen. For Jessie, preserving this space is deeply personal:
“Evergreen is a culturally and historically important space in Santa Cruz. The people buried here reflect the diversity of our community. Through programming like Día de los Muertos, the London Nelson Legacy Initiative, and the Qingming festival, we’re making sure those stories are honored and remembered.
Sharing this space with my children is important to me—they’re curious and eager to learn about local history through hands-on care and connection beyond the classroom."
Honoring Forgotten Histories: The London Nelson Legacy Initiative
One powerful example of this work is the London Nelson Legacy Initiative. This project brings to light the lives of Black pioneers in the 1800s and early 1900s Santa Cruz, many of whom are buried in unmarked graves at Evergreen. Named after London Nelson, a formerly enslaved man who purchased his freedom and became a respected Santa Cruz resident, the initiative has already identified 20 previously unnamed individuals. Thanks to local leaders like Luna HighJohn-Bey, efforts to restore historical legacies are ongoing, ensuring these stories are preserved and highlighted.
Cultural Traditions in Action: Qingming Festival
Another key event at Evergreen is the annual Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day. Held in partnership with local Historians and Chinese American community leaders, this celebration begins at the MAH continues on to the Chinatown Dragon Archway and concludes at Evergreen with gravesite cleanings and historical storytelling. It's a moving tribute to the Chinese immigrants who helped shape Santa Cruz and a reminder of the importance of honoring our ancestors.
London Nelson Legacy Initiative
The London Nelson Legacy Initiative is a collaboration between a Black-led citizen group and the MAH to research and share the stories of Black pioneers in pre-1900s Santa Cruz County.
Get Involved
Evergreen’s preservation is made possible by passionate volunteers and MAH Members. Whether you're pulling weeds on a Friday morning or supporting inclusive programs through membership, your involvement ensures these histories endure.
Want to help?
Join the Evergreen volunteer crew every Friday from 9:30am–12:30pm. No training or RSVP needed, just bring yourself. Gloves and tools are provided.
Together, we’re keeping Santa Cruz’s stories alive, inside and outside the museum- for generations to come.