Federal Steering Committee on the African Burial Ground CHRONOLOGY - AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND PROJECT: March 15, 1989 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed between the General Services Administration (GSA), and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). May 1990 Stage 1A Cultural Resource Survey of Foley Square submitted by Historic Conservation and Interpretation Inc. (HCI) January 1991 Archeological Soil Boring Survey of the Foley Square Project submitted by HCI. May 20, 1991 Archeological fieldwork commenced. May 1991 Human remains identified in Republican Alley. September 1991 Excavation of human remains commenced by HCI and the Metropolitan Forensic Anthropology Team (MFAT). September 16, 1991 Mayor David N. Dinkins submits letter of concern to GSA regarding the status of the African Burial Ground excavation. October 8, 1991 Press conference was held on site. Descendant (African American) community expressed concern that it was uninvolved in decisions. December 5, 1991 New York Times reports GSA's proposed use of "coroner's method." December 6, 1991 Mayor David N. Dinkins visits burial site. December 9, 1991 Senator David A Paterson established Task Force for the oversight of the African Burial Ground. Descendant community sought involvement of African-American anthropologists. December 20, 1991 Amended MOA executed between GSA, ACHP, and New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). February 14, 1992 Burials disturbed by construction workers. March 1992 HCI draft research design submitted. April 1992 City Council hearings and town meeting are held on the project.  Mayor David N. Dinkins established Advisory Committee on the project. April 23, 1992 Town meeting held at Trinity Church, hosted by Mayor's Committee, Senator Paterson's Task Force, Ruth W. Messinger, Katherine Freed, Landmarks Preservation Commission, City Council Members and Trinity Church. June 1992 ACHP Recommended extensive revisions to the HCI research design. Howard University-based researchers submit alternative research design. July 1, 1992 John Milner Associates, Inc. project. July 27, 1992 Congressional field hearing on site held following Mayor's demand that excavation cease because of MOA violation. Congressional hearing calls for halt to excavation. July 29, 1992 - August 1992 Excavation on site halted by GSA September 28, 1992 Excavation of eleven partially completed burials commenced. September 1992 Foley Square archeological laboratory established at 6 World Trade Center. September 1992 Field records and artifacts held by HCI in New Jersey transferred to the Foley Square Laboratory. October 1, 1992 African-American anthropologists contracted as project directors in collaboration with JMA October 9, 1992 Excavation of partially completed burials finished and site closed down. October 15, 1992 Howard University / JMA draft research design submitted. October 1992 Federal Steering Committee for the African Burial Ground. December 6, 1992 Federal Steering Committee submitted intern report. December 22, 1992 Federal Steering Committee recommends timely relocation of human remains to Howard University. January 15, 1992 Closing date for comments on the Howard University /JMA draft research design. April 22, 1993 Revised research design on the African Burial Ground (Broadway Block) submitted by Howard University /JMA (this document). June 14, 1993 Federal Steering Committee holds Public Hearing in City Hall on Draft Report. July 26, 1993 Federal Steering Committee held Public Hearing in the Schomburg Center on Final Draft Report. No Further Steering Committee Meetings after July 26, 1993.