AfricanBurialGroundVerified account

@AFBurialGrndNPS

A National Monument established in 2006 that is the final resting place for an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans in the 17th and 18th centuries.

New York City
nps.gov/afbg
Joined November 2009
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  1. Jul 28

    Did you know that were some of the at the early National Parks before the foundation of the National Park Service? Today, we wanted to honor the Buffalo Soldiers who worked as Rangers protecting and preserving public lands.

    Image: Black and white photograph of Buffalo Soldiers on horseback in Yosemite National Park.
    7 retweets 15 likes
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  2. Jul 28

    Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission, visitors to the African Burial Ground NM, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings. The visitor center is closed, but this will apply when it reopens.

    Image: Owl wearing a mask
    2 retweets 7 likes
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  3. Jul 26

    The Ancestral Libation Court is a communal gathering where re-consecration of the site takes place during libation or other ceremonial rituals. The sacred ceremonial ritual of libation serves as an offering & an acknowledgement linking past, present, & future generations.

    Image: Color photograph of the Ancestral Libation Court
    1 retweet 5 likes
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  4. Jul 25

    The Spiral Processional Ramp descends 4 ft below street level thereby bringing the visitor physically, psychologically, & spiritually closer to the ancestors & original interment level. The ramp serves as bridges between the living & the spiritual realm.

    Image: Color photograph of the Spiral Processional Ramp.
    4 retweets 21 likes
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  5. Jul 24

    Signs, symbols, & images of the African Diaspora are engraved on the wall encircling the Libation Court. These symbols come from different areas & cultures throughout the Diaspora. These symbols are a reminder of the complexity & diversity of African culture’s manifestation.

    Image: Color photograph of the Circle of the Diaspora
    5 retweets 14 likes
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  6. Jul 23

    The Ancestral Chamber is intended to reflect African cultural, spiritual, & ancestral essence. It also represents the soaring African spirit embracing & comforting all who enter. The interior provides a sacred space for individual contemplation, reflection, meditation, & prayer.

    Image: Color photograph of the exterior of the Ancestral Chamber
    Image: Color photograph of the interior of the Ancestral Chamber
    3 retweets 12 likes
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  7. Jul 22

    The memorial wall is engraved with a map describing the components of the African Burial Ground NM in context of the burials ground’s actual boundaries & allows visitors to understand the actual size of the burial ground which extends well beyond the memorial.

    Image: Color photograph of the map on the memorial wall showing the area of the African Burial Ground on today's street grid.
    1 reply 4 retweets 10 likes
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  8. Jul 21

    There are 7 burial mounds marking the locations of the 7 large sarcophagi containing the remains of the 419 African descendants that were re-interred in 2003. A grove of trees create a natural buffer & shelter between the re-interment area & the adjacent building.

    Image: Color photograph of the re-interment grove.
    5 retweets 14 likes
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  9. Jul 20

    ...the process of enlightenment & education. On the highly polished wall of granite is inscribed the Sankofa symbol & the following libation text: For all those who were lost For all those who were stolen For all those who were left behind For all those who were not forgotten 2/2

    Image: Close up color photograph of the Sankofa symbol and the libation text.
    2 retweets 8 likes
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  10. Jul 20

    The outdoor memorial at the African Burial Ground NM is made up of seven elements & for the next several days we are going to share about each element. The first element is the Wall of Remembrance. The Wall of Remembrance is intended to draw a person in, & thus begin...1/2

    Image: Color photograph of the Wall of Remembrance.
    5 retweets 18 likes
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  11. Jul 18

    The Mate Masie symbol translates to "what I hear, I keep" & is supposed to represent four linked ears, which serves to remind people of the importance of listening and communicating, especially in oral histories and cultures.

    Image: Color photograph of the Mate Masie symbol at the outdoor memorial.
    9 retweets 17 likes
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  12. Jul 16

    “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” -Ida B. Wells. Ida B. Wells! She was born in 1862.

    Image: Portrait print of Ida B. Wells.
    1 retweet 9 likes
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  13. Jul 15

    In 1713, Reverend John Sharpe describes Africans being "buried by those of their own country or complexion in the common field" outside town, which is the first time the African Burial Ground appears in writing.

    Image: Charles Lilly's illustration recreates an African burial ceremony outside the city.
    3 retweets 7 likes
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  14. Jul 13

    ...The rioters also attacked the Colored Orphan Asylum that housed hundreds of children and burned it to the ground. Thankfully, all of the children survived. 2/2

    Image: Print of the Colored Orphan Asylum burning in the background with the rioters leaving with stuff they looted from the place in the foreground.
    7 retweets 6 likes
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  15. Jul 13

    On July 13, 1863, the New York City Draft Riots started. Angered by new draft requirements for the , white men started rioting & attacking military institutions. During the day, the rioters transitioned their attacks to beating & murdering black residents...1/2

    Image: Print showing the destruction of the Provost Marshal's Office where the new draft took place before the riots.
    8 retweets 8 likes
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  16. Jul 9

    Today is the anniversary of the 14th Amendment being ratified & officially becoming a part of the . The 14th Amendment, which was a Reconstruction Amendment, made previously enslaved individuals citizens & stated that these new citizens should have equal rights.

    Image: Front page of a booklet that says- The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution Considered.
    19 retweets 33 likes
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  17. Jul 6

    “I didn’t wish for anything I couldn’t get, & I got pretty near everything I wanted.”-Louis Armstrong. He passed away in 1971. Famous for being an incredible trumpet player & entertainer, he used his fame to speak out against segregation & discrimination.

    4 retweets 8 likes
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  18. Jul 4

    On 1827, enslaved Africans living in New York were legally freed. No large official celebration took place on the day due to fears of riots but on July 5, 1827, more than 2,000 African Americans marched to celebrate. Slavery ended in the with the 13 Amendment.

    Image: Celebration of the end of enslavement in Washington D.C.
    2 replies 14 retweets 41 likes
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  19. Jul 2

    Did you know that Vermont was the first colony to abolish enslavement? Vermont legally outlawed enslavement in the colony on July 2, 1777.

    Image: Map of Vermont published in 1795
    11 retweets 31 likes
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  20. Jun 30

    Manman Brigitte is an lwa of death in African & Caribbean Voodoo. Her spirit guards cemeteries & graves & takes the souls of the dead. Additionally, Manman Brigitte determines the fate of those who are dying or ill, & has the power to heal sicknesses.

    Image: Color photograph of the Manman Brigitte symbol at the outdoor memorial.
    1 retweet 6 likes
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