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March 15, 1989
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between General Service Administration
(GSA), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), is signed
and executed. The MOA offers guidelines for protecting the African Burial
Ground (ABG).
May 1990
Stage 1A Cultural Resource Survey of Foley Square area submitted to
GSA by Historic Conservation and interpretation Inc. (HCI), an
archaeological firm.
January 1991
Archaeological Soil Boring Survey taken at ABG and Foley Square by HCI
is submitted by GSA.
February 1991
Archaeological fieldwork begins. Human remains are identified in
Republican Alley an area formerly located between Duane and Reade Streets
according to 18th century New York City maps.
September 1991
Excavation of human remains begins under the direction of HCI chief
Archaeologist, Ed Rutsch. The Metropolitan Forensic Anthropology Team (MFAT),
headquartered at Lehman College, assumes responsibility for storage of
remains.
September 1991
Mayor Dinkins communicates concern to GSA Regional Administrator, Bill
Diamond, regarding the status and treatment of the human remains at the
ABG.
October 8, 1991
Press conference held at burial site African American community
expresses outrage at being uninformed about the ABG sire and demand a role
in the decision making process.
December 5, 1991
New York Times reports GSA 's proposed use of the "coroner's method"
in the excavation of human remains at burial site.
December 9, 1991
Senator David A. Paterson establishes a Task Force for the Oversight
of the African Burial Ground that includes a wide cross section of
concerned citizens, many of them from the African American community.
December 20, 1991
An amended version of the Memorandum of Agreement, executed between
GSA, ACHP, is signed by the New York City Landmarks Preservation
Commission.
January 7, 1992
GSA sponsors a public forum where a report, "Research Design for
Archaeological, Historical and Bio-anthropological1nvestigations of the
African Burial Ground" is presented by Dr. Michael L. Blakey, Physical
Anthropologist and Professor at Howard University.
February 14, 1992
Four to six burials are damaged by construction equipment. Workers
cite reliance on inaccurate map as the cause.
February 24, 1992
Bill Diamond of GSA holds a press conference to announce the results
of investigation into remains damaged by construction equipment.
March 1992
HC1 submits draft research design to GSA
.
March 17, 1992
GSA authorizes the production of a 60 minute documentary of the ABG by
KUTZ TV, New York, targeted for school audiences.
April 1992
City Council hearing and Town meeting at Trinity Church held this
month to discuss the status of the African Burial Ground project.
April 23, 1992
Mayor David A. Dinkins establishes Advisory Committee on the African
Burial Ground.
July 1992
ACHP recommends extensive revisions to the HCI research design. Howard
University submits alternative research design.
July 1, 1992
John Milner Associates, Inc. (JMA), an archaeological firm, assumes
administration of the African Burial Ground project.
July 27, 1992
Congressional field hearing is held following Mayor's charge that GSA
violated MOA agreement. At a congressional hearing chaired by former
Congressman Gus Savage a decision is made to halt further excavation at
the ABG site.
July 29, 1992
Excavation on pavilion portion of sire is officially terminated by GSA
Administrator Richard G. Austin. An estimated 410 burials were retrieved
from the site prior to suspension. Another ten or eleven remains are left
exposed.
August 1992
Concerned citizens raise the issue of inadequate conservation of the
skeletal remains stored by MFAT. Recommendations are made that Dr. Michael
Blakey assume over-sight of the scientific portion of the project at
Howard University.
August/September 1992
African American anthropologists are contracted as project directors
in collaboration with John Milner Associates and Howard University.
September 1992
GSA opens Foley Square archaeological laboratory at 6 World Trade
Center as per contract with JMA. Field records and artifacts previously
held by HCI are transferred to the lab.
September 6-7, 1992
A two hour vigil is held at the African Burial Ground site.
Participants paying homage to ancestors Interned In the burial ground call
for the sire to be designated landmark status. The event is marked by
music and dance, and by prayers led by several religious leaders.
September 28, 1992
Congressional suspension temporarily lifted to complete excavation of
ten burials and one grave pit left exposed.
October 9, 1992
Excavation of exposed burials completed and site closed down.
October 15, 1992
Dr. Michael Blakey/JMA draft research design submitted.
October 26, 1992
Federal Steering Committee for the African Burial Ground (FSC) created
by Congress.
November 9, 1992
Emergency meeting held by FSC to discuss issues surrounding African
Burial Ground needing immediate attention, i.e. D'Amato legislation,
future plans for reinternment, Research Design, status of human remains
and student art project.
November 17, 1992
GSA sponsors public forum "Research Design for Archaeological,
Historical and Bio-anthropological investigations of the African Burial
Ground" Presented by a team of scientists headed by Michael L. Blakey.
December 22, 1992
FSC recommends relocation of human remains to Howard University’s
bio-anthropological lab.
January 1, 1993
Plans for an Office of Public Education and Interpretation of the
African Burial Ground/Five Points Archaeological project (OPEI) are
initiated, headed by Dr. Sherrill D. Wilson, Urban Anthropologist.
January 15, 1993
Closing date for comments on Dr. M. Blakey/JMA draft research design.
February 25, 1993
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designates the
African Burial Ground and Commons Historic District a New York landmark.
March 1, 1993
OPEI project office is established at 6 World Trade Center.
April 12, 1993
Special meeting is held by FSC to consider adoption of budget
recommendations.
April 19, 1993
African Burial Ground designated a National Historic Landmark by the
Secretary of the Interior Agency in Congress.
April 22, 1993
Revised research design on the African Burial Ground (Broadway Block)
submitted by Howard University/JMA.
May 20 and 22, 1993
Official opening of Office of Public Education and Interpretation of
the African Burial Ground (OPEI). Educational outreach to the public
includes slide lectures, volunteer participation, annual educator
seminars, a quarterly newsletter and student internships.
June 14, 1993
Public forum held at City Hall regarding FSC recommendations for the
commemoration of the African Burial Ground to the U.S. Congress.
August 6, 1993
Final recommendations concerning African Burial Ground submitted by
FSC to Congress and GSA.
August 12, 1993
GSA finalizes agreement with Dr. Michael Blakey for the removal of
skeletal remains stored at Lehman College Campus. Dr. Blakey assumes
responsibility for completing the transfer process within 45 days.
August 16, 1993
Artex, specialists in Transporting rare an and priceless objects,
begins the process of preparing ancestral remains for transfer to Howard
University.
August 25, 1993
The African Burial Ground site landmark sign (measuring 4' x 12') is
completed and placed within the preserved portion of the burial ground,
the sign's wording, credited to Christopher Moore, was approved by the
Federal Steering Committee on the African Burial Ground.
September 8, 1993
Prayer vigil at 26 Federal Plaza is held to commemorate the official
transfer of ancestral remains to Howard University.
September 13, 1993
First test group of 13 ancestral remains is successfully transported
to Howard University.
October 7, 1993
An African Burial Ground Memorial Competition is formerly launched by
the Municipal Art Society.
October 23, 1993
First Volunteer Training Orientation is held at OPEI.
November 3, 1993
The last of the human remains recovered from ABG are transferred to
Howard University.
November 4, 1993
Transferal of final remains 10 Howard University marked by candlelight
prayer vigil at the ABG and concludes in a tribute to the ancestors at
Mariners Temple.
November 5, 1993
Commemorative symposium and celebration takes place al Howard
University entitled, "The Ties That Bind," marking the final transfer of
ancestral remains.
November 12-13,1993
The first Educators Symposium, held two limes annually, is held at
OPEI.
November 15, 1994
FSC holds a special meeting to consider recommendations concerning GSA
's planned installations of utility conduits, sidewalk catch basins and
related work for the 290 Broadway building built at ABG site.
December 11 thru February 12, 1994
First of 3 installation phases involving Con Edison. Work is monitored
by OPEI staff.
March. - May 1994
Second phase of installation process takes place.
May 21, 1994
OPEI second annual Open House
June 1994
Final phase of installation involving sidewalk catch basins at Reade
St. is completed.
June 1994
Petition for a commemorative stamp honoring the men, women and
children of the African. Burial Ground is launched by the Stamp
Subcommittee of FSC. Efforts to gain signatures are supported by OPEI
staff.
June 18, 1994
OPEI Educators Symposium on the African Burial Ground and Five Points
Archaeological Project.
August 11, 1994
First Lady Hillary Rodham-Clinton delivers keynote speech at GSA Art
and Architecture Program Awards given to participants in LINPRO Awareness
Through Art Program.
September 30, 1994
The FSC on the African Burial Ground of New York City is formally
disbanded by GSA.
October 22, 1994
First anniversary of African Burial Ground Volunteers Training,
Volunteers total 29.
December 8, 1994
Hon. Mme. Albertina Sisilu becomes the first elected member of the
South African Parliament to visit the African Burial Ground.
November 19, 1994
OPEI Educators Symposium on the African Burial Ground and Five Points
Archaeological Project.
November 30, 1994
A second African Burial Ground site landmark sign (measuring 2.5'x 6')
is placed within the north east comer of the preserved portion of the
burial ground at Duane and Elk Streets.
December 19, 1994
Noel Pointer, jazz violinist and political activist in support of the
African Burial Ground, deceased.
January 26, 1995
The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee informs Richard Brown,
Commemorative Stamp Sub-committee chair of the former FSC on the African
Burial Ground, that the request for New York African Burial Ground
commemorative stamp has been rejected.
May 20, 1995
Third annual OPEI Open House entitled "Preserving the New York African
Burial Ground.
June 10, 1995
OPEI Educators Symposium on the African Burial Ground and Five Points
Archaeological Project.
August 1995
Premier issue of "The Cornerstone: African Burial Ground Volunteer
Newsletter," distributed.
August 4, 1995
Members of the National House of Chiefs of Ghana offer a libation at
the African Burial Ground to seek forgiveness for African involvement in
the slave trade. Their seven city tour called FIHANKRA stated theme is
"Reuniting the divided house."
October 14, 1995
Howard University trains the first Washington team of New York African
Burial Ground Project Volunteers,
October 28, 1995
OPEI holds third annual "Make a Difference Day" Volunteer Training,
The New York team of volunteers total sixty two (62) as of this date.
November 4, 1995
OPEI Educators Symposium entitled "The African Burial Ground
Revisited" celebrates the two year anniversary of the transferal of the
ancestral remains from Lehman College, Bronx, NY to Howard University in
Washington, D. C.
November 11-14 1995
"Sankofa I' titles the first meeting of African Burial Ground Project
specialists from Europe, Africa, and the U.S. in Washington D. C. at
Howard University. Scholar specialties include archaeology, art history,
history, genetics, and skeletal biology. Their meeting adds "modes of
resistance" to the three main research questions described in research
design.
November 11 - 14, 1995
The American Anthropological Association (AAA) holds a Symposium on
the New York African Burial Ground phenomena entitled "The Archaeology of
Enslavement" in Washington, D. C.
January 1996
Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) rejects commemorative Stamp
proposal for a second time. OPEI continues to assist Brown collect
signatures until April 1, 1996,
March 1996
Number of signatures collected for the commemorative stamp exceeds
100,000.
March 23, 1996
OPEI holds first educational Youth Symposium entitled "Passing the
Torch."
June 22, 1996
OPEI Fourth Annual Open House. The theme for the event is entitled,
"Building Bridges: A Call for Common Unity."
August 1996
Dr. Warren Perry appointed Archaeological Director for African Burial
Ground artifacts analysis in the Foley Square Archaeological Laboratory at
6 World Trade Center.
August 14, 1996
Dr. Michael Blakey presents "The African Burial Ground Discovery in
1991 in the City of New York,” To the Subcommittee on Human Rights 48th
Session United Nations Palais des Nations Geneva, Switzerland. His talk
focuses on the relevance of the ABG to the U.N. position on "moral
compensation" for victims of past slavery. The U.N. representatives who
are present, especially the African community of nations, speak in support
of joint efforts with the African American community for disseminating
information internationally and for the establishment of a memorial in New
York.
August 17, 1996
OPEI Educators Symposium entitled, "The African Burial
Ground:Challenging the Myths of the New York African Presence."
October 1996
Peggy King-Jorde, architect, is contracted by the GSA as Project
Consultant of the African Burial Ground Memorialization Project.
October 26, 1996
OPEI holds fourth annual "Make a Difference Day" Volunteer
Orientation & Training. The New team of trained volunteers total
one-hundred-sixty (160) as of this date.
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