West Point Cemetery (Norfolk, Virginia) facts for kids
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West Point Cemetery
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Five United States Colored Troops graves
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 238 E. Princess Anne Rd., Norfolk, Virginia |
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| Area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | O'Rourke |
| Architectural style | Cemetery |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000393 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 3, 2007 |
West Point Cemetery is a special historic place in Norfolk, Virginia. It's a cemetery that tells an important story about American history. This cemetery is also known as Potter's Field and Calvary Cemetery.
It was started in 1873. Inside, you can find the graves of 58 African American soldiers and sailors. These brave people served in the American Civil War. A monument stands tall over their graves to honor them. The cemetery also has other interesting parts, like the O'Rourke Mausoleum and its main entry sign.
West Point Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This means it's recognized as a very important historic site in the United States. It is right next to Elmwood Cemetery, which is also a historic place.
Honoring African American Veterans
The West Point Monument is a key feature of the cemetery. It was built to remember African American soldiers. These soldiers fought in both the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The monument was officially dedicated in 1906.
Sergeant William H. Carney's Story
The statue on top of the West Point Monument shows Sergeant William H. Carney. He was from Norfolk, Virginia, and was a hero in the Civil War. Sergeant Carney served in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment. This was one of the first African American regiments in the U.S. Army.
James Fuller's Dedication
James Fuller was a very important person in getting the monument built. He was born into slavery but later became a soldier. Fuller served as a quartermaster in the First United States Colored Cavalry during the Civil War. After the war, he made history again. He was elected as the first African American city councilman in Norfolk.
