Amidst the high rise buildings of Manhattan in New York City lies a monument where African slaves were buried in the 17th to 18th centuries. The burial site was discovered in October 1991 during an excavation for the purpose of constructing a federal office building.
New York City has so much history that it shouldn’t surprise me that there is a burial ground at this concrete jungle. The city is so full of skyscrapers that I forget that before the tall buildings and the concrete roads were dirt roads, wooden infrastructures, and wooded areas. Among the residents of the city were slaves who honored the life of their families and friends with ceremony filled burials. Their resting place remained undisturbed until they were discovered.
Anyone interested in the history of the burial ground can visit the monument for FREE. The visitor center has a film that visitors can watch to learn about the story of the burial ground. There are also exhibits about the life of the African slaves.
The monument itself is located at the back of the Ted Weiss Federal Building. It is a hallowed ground that stands as a memorial to the people who helped build New York City.
For their contributions and sacrifices, it is only right to remember those African slaves with this monument where anyone who wishes can show their respect and pay homage.
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