Austin Parks and Recreation

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Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Rehabilitation and Archeological Project

City Council District 1

Project Summary

The historic Oakwood Cemetery Chapel suffered from uneven foundation settlement and deferred maintenance. During the rehabilitation of the Chapel in 2016, archeologists monitoring construction discovered human remains below where the chapel was built. The rehabilitation of the Chapel is complete, reinterment of the displaced remains was completed in the fall of 2021, and further DNA and isotopic analysis of the remains is ongoing.

Background

The historic Oakwood Cemetery Chapel was constructed in 1914 to function as a mortuary chapel. Designed by Austin architect, Charles Page, the historic Gothic-revival chapel is located within Oakwood Cemetery, a City of Austin Historic Landmark, registered Historic Texas Cemetery, and a National Register of Historic Places site. In the century since its construction, the historic building suffered from uneven foundation settlement and deferred maintenance.

In 2016, during the rehabilitation of the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, archeologists monitoring construction discovered human remains below where the chapel was built. Careful exhumation of these rediscovered individuals proceeded, and, under the Antiquities permit obtained by the Texas Historical Commission, the remains were transferred to bio-archeologists at Texas State University. Archeologists performed an analysis of the physical remains, which has the potential to provide demographic data, including race and ethnicity, gender, and approximate age. In some cases, physical remains can also inform about the cause of death and aspects of lifestyle, such as physical health, levels of nutrition, or stresses endured. Further, artifacts may reveal aspects of material culture and possibly the cultural significance of those buried in this section. The process does not provide information about the individual identities of the people who were discovered.

The analysis of the remains, which date to the mid to late 1800s, is complete and the report is below. The report was developed by the archeological contractor for the Oakwood Chapel project, Hicks & Company Environmental/Archeological Consultants, and their sub-consultant, the Forensic Anthropology at Texas State University. The reports were also reviewed by the Texas Historical Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Project Description

Austin Parks and Recreation notified City Council in a June 18, 2020 memo about an academic partnership with the University of Connecticut and the University of Texas to undertake DNA analysis, at no cost to the City of Austin, to better understand the lives of the men, women, and children who were discovered. The DNA analysis is underway following the issuance of an Antiquities Permit from the Texas Historical Commission in the late fall of 2020. The analysis of DNA from the people who were exhumed offers a unique opportunity to learn more about their identities, familial connections, and life experiences.

If the preservation of the DNA in the Oakwood Cemetery remains is sufficient to permit these analyses, living individuals who think they may have a familial connection may be able to submit a saliva sample to the University of Connecticut lab for DNA analysis, allowing relatedness to be assessed. As soon as feasible, Austin Parks and Recreation will provide further details to community members on how they may work directly with the University of Connecticut research team to explore whether they have a family relation to any of the exhumed individuals. The DNA extractions process is now complete, and the DNA analysis of the individuals who were exhumed during the chapel restoration continues

The analysis component is a lengthy and complex process and may take more than 36 months. Additionally, the team is undertaking isotopic analysis in conjunction with the DNA analysis, which may provide additional insights into the diets and regions of origin of the individuals.

Anticipated Timeline

This schedule is projected as accurately as possible and subject to change.

  • 2018: Rehabilitation of Oakwood Chapel and reopening to the public (Complete)
  • 2021: Reinterment of displaced individuals (Complete)
  • 2022 to 2027: DNA analysis (Ongoing)
  • 2027 to 2028: Project concludes

Communication and Engagement

Austin Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Historic Preservation Office, provided two community updates on the archeological project in a pre-recorded video featuring members of the Oakwood Cemetery archeological project team from the University of Connecticut and the University of Texas at Austin. The update covers the work completed to date and shares the next steps in the DNA and isotopic testing analysis.

May 18, 2026

September 19, 2023

Funding and Resources

This project was funded by the 2012 GO Bond and through the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) as defined under Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code. HOT revenue is an essential tool for the promotion of tourism and supports the growth of the tourism, convention, and hotel industry. Austin Parks and Recreation is an important partner in this effort as public parks, museums, and cultural centers are among the top tourist attractions in the City.

Contact Information

For more information about this project, contact Cemetery Operations at Cemeteries@austintexas.gov or (512) 978-2320.

Previous Project Phases

    Chapel Rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation of the Chapel was completed in August 2018. The project included:

    • Structural stabilization of the foundation
    • Surface drainage improvements
    • ADA site access improvements, including the creation of one parking space behind the Chapel and a new sidewalk
    • Rehabilitation of single unisex restroom
    • Mechanical, electrical, lighting overhaul
    • Restoration of interior and exterior finishes, including doors, windows, masonry, roof, plaster, etc.

    The Chapel now hosts programming under the Museums and Cultural Programs Division as recommended by the Cemeteries Vision Plan. View more information on current programming here.

    Reinterment

    An area near the chapel was identified as a potential location for reinterment. This location aligned with a recommendation from the 2017 community engagement process. On November 16, 2021, under careful monitoring by archeologists, mechanical scraping of the ground surface confirmed the selected sites are devoid of unmarked burials.

    The team prioritized careful reinterment of the individuals in a respectful and protective environment. On November 17, 2021, Austin Parks and Recreation successfully reinterred all 36 displaced individuals at Oakwood Cemetery.

    Memorialization

    In late May 2023, Austin Parks and Recreation (APR) hosted All Together Here: Monument Dedication and Memorial Event, a three-day series of events and programs centered around the dedication for a permanent monument to the individuals who were discovered during the Oakwood Chapel restoration. The events included guided tours of the Historic Colored Grounds and the Oakwood Chapel, a talk by a historian, a racial healing event, a dedication of the monuments, a walking procession, and a homegoing celebration. The May event was part of continued programming APR has led as part of the archeological and memorialization process associated with the Oakwood Chapel.

    Communication and Engagement
    DateEventLocationMaterials
    March 25, 2017Community MeetingOnsite

    Presentation at Community Meeting (PDF)

    Community Comments (PDF)

    November 29, 2021Blessing and CommemorationOnsiteBlessing Ceremony (Video)
    October 9 and 10, 2022All Together Here Symposium and ExhibitOnline

    All Together Here: A Community Symposium for Discovery and Remembrance Press Release (PDF)

    All Together Here: A Community Symposium (Link to Recordings)

    All Together Here (Online Exhibit)

    Memos and Reports

    • 2018 Oakwood Chapel Ribbon Cutting

    • Chapel rehabilitation diagrams

    • Oakwood Memorial