Our Mission

The National Council of Pioneer Cemeteries exists to protect, preserve, and elevate the sacred burial grounds of America’s earliest settlers—before they are lost to time, neglect, or development. Across the nation, thousands of pioneer cemeteries sit unmarked, forgotten, or at risk, holding within them the untold stories of the men, women, and children who built the foundations of this country.

These are not abandoned places. They are historical anchors—physical connections to the frontier, the Oregon Trail, early settlements, and the formation of American communities. Every headstone, every unmarked grave, represents a life lived in hardship, courage, and sacrifice. Without action, these sites—and the stories they carry—will disappear forever.

We are building a national framework for recognition and preservation. Through the creation of a national registry, we are documenting pioneer cemeteries across the United States—establishing their locations, histories, and conditions—so they can be protected, studied, and honored for generations to come. This registry is not just a database; it is a living record of America’s origins.

The Council serves as a unifying force—bringing together descendants, historians, preservationists, and communities under one shared purpose: to ensure that these burial grounds are not forgotten. We advocate for responsible stewardship, increased awareness, and long-term preservation efforts that respect both the historical and human significance of each site.

This mission is rooted in responsibility. The pioneers laid the groundwork for everything that followed—towns, cities, infrastructure, and culture. Their final resting places are not relics; they are part of our national identity.

We do not preserve the past for nostalgia. We preserve it because it is still part of who we are.

And we will not allow it to be erased.