African Burial Ground Review

This is one of the most interesting and historic stories to ever come out of NYC. Unfortunately there's nothing historic to see here (as it's obviously all underground) but there are a number of plaques explaining the history here and the monument is interesting (though far from interesting if viewed from the sidewalk). The place is a National Historical Landmark and is run by the National Parks Department. I think it's ridiculous that they would close the little outside monument during daylight hours (5pm). It would be easy to step over the low metal bar they put up to keep you out after hours but as you're surrounded by Federal Buildings (including the FBI) and guards steps away checking all cars going on the street you're on, that's a risk I don't think anyone wants to take.

So here's the amazing history of the African Burial Ground:

In 1991 as they were excavating the area to build another Federal building the developers unearthed skeletal remains of a long lost burial ground. In all they removed 419 bodies and upon research they discovered that they were among approximately 15,000 bodies in a 6.6 acre plot in the area. Upon looking at a 1763 map they found this to be the sacred African American (both free and non-freed slaves) burial ground (which was used between 1690-1794). On the map it was labeled "Negro Burying Ground". At that time the burial ground started New York was actually still a small colony and the burying ground was actually outside the wall of the town. It wasn't long after the discovery in 1991 that the site was called the "most important historic urban archeological project in the U.S." and became the 123rd National Monument. In 2003 all 419 bodies were reburied with all artifacts that were found in the exact area and position they were found in. A search for a monument design started and was chosen in 2004. In 2007 they held the Dedication ceremony for the finished monument with Mayor Bloomberg and Maya Angelou. Recently they also opened a visitor's center at the Ted Weiss Federal Building at 290 Broadway.