Activity Report
African Burial Ground Project
Pursuant to the Amended Memorandum of Agreement

June 30, 2004

This report covers events surrounding the African Burial Ground (ABG) Project for the period of April  through June 2004.

Introduction

The activities for this reporting period include ongoing work to complete the technical reports and the continuing coordination regarding the Exterior Memorial and Interpretive Center for the site. A brief list of meetings, telephone conferences, etc., held during this reporting period is provided as Appendix A.
 

Activities of the Reporting Period

Education/Outreach (OPEI)
 
During the reporting period, the OPEI presented site tours, film showings, and informational sessions to a total of 3,573 individuals (329 individuals at the 290 Information Desk and 3,244 members of 52 organizations). The OPEI also distributed educational materials (educational portfolios, newsletters, bookmarks, press kits, art work brochures etc.) as detailed below.
 

Materials Summary:

* This number refers to the services and materials distributed from the OPEI Information Desk at 290 Broadway, NY, NY.
 
   
Technical Studies (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Howard University)
 
The Howard University Skeletal Biology and History teams have been working on the completion of their reports. To date both teams have submitted their final draft manuscripts for review by the Advisory Review Boards for both reports, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The reports are currently undergoing technical editing prior to their submission as final manuscripts. The final manuscripts are anticipated to be submitted at the end of July for the last review and the final manuscript copies and the completion of each component is anticipated for late September.

During this reporting period the Archaeology team submitted sections of the report as well as the interim preliminary draft of the entire report. The interim preliminary draft report was reviewed by the Archaeology Advisory Review Board and the comments received were incorporated into the preliminary draft report. The preliminary draft report was submitted to GSA at the end of June and was reviewed by the Advisory Review Board. The draft final archaeology report is scheduled for submission in August and will be submitted for review by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Two meeting were held in June to discuss the completion of the technical reports and the current status of any research on the samples. The physical inventory of the samples, which involved visiting five institutions (Howard University, Hampshire College, University of California, Santa Cruz, the University of Maryland and the College of William and Mary), was completed in June. The draft Corps Physical Inventory report has been provided to all researchers/interested parties for review and comment. Comments will be incorporated and the report will be resubmitted for a final draft review.
   
 
Archives Project (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers)
 
During this quarter, seventy-five percent (75%) of the Curation Management Plan was drafted and reviewed. The complete draft is schedule for completion at the end of July. Appointments for site evaluations at potential long-term curation facilities were arranged and conducted. The Corps will continue to complete consultation with a curation repository for the eventual acceptance of the collection. In May, GSA contracted with the Corps for the processing of the first two record groups of documentation, and to begin the determination of what portion of the OPEI documentation should be included in the archival collection.
 
 
Interpretive Center (National Park Service)
 
The National Park Service held public workshops on May 25 at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn and May 26 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manhattan to hear the publics’ thoughts on the significance, meaning and character of the African Burial Ground. The workshops built on previous work and the information gathered was used to inform the Exterior Memorial Forums held June 12, 14-17. The information will also be used to inform the NPS final report to GSA.
 
   
Exterior Memorial (National Park Service)
 
The National Park Service and the General Services Administration conducted a series of public meetings held in New York City in mid-June to introduce five finalist design proposals for a Memorial to be constructed at the African Burial Ground site. Those attending were given an overview of ABG significance and the design selection process, and invited to provide feedback to the designers on the merits of the individual designs.

At the conclusion of the five Public Forums, the designers entered a 2-month revision period. During this time they will refine their designs based on the public comment provided, in preparation for additional evaluation and public comment. In order to insure participation from a broad public, a forum was held in each of New York’s five boroughs.
 
   

Appendix A

Timeline of Meetings and Telephone Conferences conducted by
the ABG Project Team

 April – June 2004