Rediscover the African Burial Ground as the National Park Service marks 20th anniversary of historic find
African Burial Ground National Monument, a unit of the National Park Service (NPS), will host Youth Week 2011 Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 8. This year’s Youth Week will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the rediscovery of the African Burial Ground. Activities and programs will explore what the site’s rediscovery means to the community while also inviting visitors to learn about the crucial role free and enslaved Africans played in the development of New York during the 17th and 18th centuries.
“We are excited to have two dynamic film-makers participate in our Youth Week film series this year, said Shirley McKinney, Superintendent of African Burial Ground National Monument. “Eric V. Tait Jr. will screen Part II of his documentary ‘Then I’ll Be Free To Travel Home,’ which explores the history of our site, and Shawn Utsey will show part of his film ‘Meet Me In The Bottom’ about the Richmond Burial Ground in Virginia. Be sure to reserve you spot early for these special showings, each of which will have a question and answer session with its filmmaker.”
In addition to the film series, the park is offering artistic performances, re-enactors providing first-person interpretation of historic figures, a special exhibit, children’s story time, and workshops and talks suitable for the whole family throughout the observance.
The capstone event is the 20th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the memorial. The Honorable David Paterson, former governor of New York, will be the keynote speaker. He is scheduled to be joined by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rev. Herbert Daughtrey, Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely and NYC Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott. The ceremony will conclude with a wreath laying at the burial mounds.
All events are free; however, reservations are required for several programs and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made by calling (212) 637-2019. A detailed schedule appears below. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/afbg/
What: 20th Anniversary Commemoration
When: October 4-8, 2011
Tuesday, October 4
10:30AM: Film Series — Eric V. Tait, Jr., director of the film, “Then I’ll Be Free to Travel
Home,” will conduct a screening of the documentary, and provide commentary about
the making of the film. RSVP required
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence: The African Burial Ground National Monument will honor the
lives of the estimated 15,000 enslaved and free Africans and African descendants
who are buried in the African Burial Ground cemetery by observing 60 seconds of
silence at 12 noon on each day of Youth Week (October 4-8, 2011). During this time
frame, everyone is encouraged to stop, think and reflect upon the lives of those who
are buried in the African Burial Ground and the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic slave
trade.
12:15PM: Gallery Talk — “The Slave Revolt of 1741”
1:00PM: Children’s Story Time
2:00PM: An Introduction to Ancient and Early African Writing Systems and the Philosophical
Language of Adinkra by Pat Leonard. RSVP required
Wednesday, October 5
11:00AM: Workshop presentation on other rediscovered African Burial Grounds. RSVP required
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
NOON: Children’s Story Time
1:00PM: Film Series — “George Washington Carver” (29 min.)
2:00PM: Rev. Pat Singletary from the Harlem African Burial Ground Project. RSVP required
Thursday, October 6
11:00AM: A workshop on “Proverbs, Aphorisms and Mother Wits — Learning from the Wisdom
of the Ancestors and Elders” by Pat Leonard. RSVP required
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
12:30PM: “For Freedom’s Sake” — A first-person presentation by Nicola and Rufus James.
RSVP required
1:00PM: Children’s Story Time
2:00PM: Children’s Entertainment: face painting, a magician and animal balloons
3:00PM: Gallery Talk—Burial Practices and Pinkster
3:30PM: Film Series — “The Maggie Walker Story” (12 min.)
Friday, October 7
10:45AM: F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Academy performance
11:00AM: Ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the rediscovery of the African
Burial Ground
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00 PM onward — “Ceremony of Receiving African Names” conducted by Queen Mother
Dr. Delois Blakely for the general public
1:15PM: African Drum and Dance performance by F.R.E.E.D.O.M. Academy
1:30-4PM: Exhibit on slavery in New York in the visitor center.
2:00PM: Film Series — Shawn Utsey will conduct a screening of his documentary, “Meet Me in the Bottom” (45 min.) a film about the Richmond Burial Ground in Virginia. RSVP required
4:30PM: Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth will come to life through first-person interpretation. RSVP Required
6:00PM: Performance by Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy
6:30PM: Universal Creative Arts Ensemble-Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble — traditional African songs, instruments, dance and stilt walker
7:15PM: Performance by the African Caribbean group Something Positive, Inc. (30 minute performance)
*Memorial and Visitor Center will remain open until 8:00PM
Saturday, October 8
10:00AM: Libation ceremony with Gregory Carr featuring a drum circle
11:00AM: Family Memory Box Workshop. RSVP required
NOON: 60 Seconds of Silence
1:00PM: Poetry Slam, “A Shout Out to the Ancestors”
2:00PM: Red Storm Drum and Dance Troupe — This program offers insight into Native American history, art and music. It also showcases the music and dance traditions of America’s indigenous nations.
6:30PM: Candle lit “A Broader View” walking tour will leave from Federal Hall National Memorial and conclude at African Burial Ground National Monument’s outdoor memorial. RSVP required
6:30PM: Candle lit “Abolitionist” walking tour will leave from African Burial National Monument and conclude at the site’s outdoor memorial. RSVP required
For detailed information about the different activities, please visit www.nps.gov/afbg.
Web: www.nps.gov/afbg
ABOUT AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND NATIONAL MONUMENT
One of the most significant archaeological finds in U.S. History, the African Burial Ground is a 17th- and 18th-century cemetery that was rediscovered in 1991 when construction began on a federal office building in lower Manhattan. In 1993, the site was preserved as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior and was later designated as a National Monument by Presidential Proclamation on Feb. 27, 2006. The National Monument is part of an original 6.6-acre site containing the remains of approximately 15,000 people, making it the largest African cemetery excavated in North America.
How to Get There: The African Burial Ground National Monument is located at 290 Broadway, 1st Floor. The 4, 5, 6,R, W, J, M and Z trains (Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall) are one block from the site, the A train is three blocks away (Chambers Street) and the 1 train is 4 blocks away (Chambers Street) and the 2 and 3 trains are 2 blocks away (Park Place). The A, C and E are 3 blocks away (Chambers/World Trade Center).
