Where Heritage Lives and Stories Endure
Welcome to Riverdale-Porterdale
Welcome to the Riverdale–Porterdale Cemetery Foundation, where history, heritage, and remembrance come together in three of Columbus, Georgia’s most significant burial grounds—Riverdale, Porterdale, and East Porterdale. From Porterdale’s origins in 1836 as a historic Black cemetery to Riverdale’s founding in 1890 as the city’s response to growth, these sacred landscapes tell the layered story of our community through the lives of those laid to rest here. Working in partnership with the Columbus Consolidated Government, our foundation enhances and beautifies the cemeteries, improves access to burial records, and promotes education about the individuals and events that shaped our region. We invite you to explore these remarkable grounds.
VISIT
Walk the historic grounds of Riverdale, Porterdale, and East Porterdale, where artful monuments, shaded paths, and generations of stories offer a meaningful place to reflect .
VOLUNTEER
Join us in preserving these sacred spaces through hands-on service, special projects, and community events that help protect and beautify the cemeteries for future generations.
LEARN
Discover the lives and legacies of those laid to rest here through our map, research, and educational efforts that connect Columbus’s past to the present.
Preserving the Past
The Dales Society exists to sustain and enhance the beauty and dignity of Riverdale, Porterdale, and East Porterdale Cemeteries.
We honor the shared heritage of our region while embracing the cultural and ethnic diversity of the families represented here.
Through preservation, stewardship, and education, we work to highlight the historical significance of those laid to rest within these sacred grounds — ensuring their stories remain part of the living history of Columbus.
“I came to trace my family’s roots and left with a deeper appreciation for Columbus history. The Foundation’s commitment to preservation truly makes a difference.”
— MARY S., VISITOR
HELP PRESERVE
Support the Care of These Historic Grounds
Your donation helps sustain the beauty and dignity of Riverdale, Porterdale, and East Porterdale Cemeteries through ongoing maintenance, restoration, and preservation.