AFRICAN BURIAL GROUND

A serene space to honor the ancestors

New York is home to many national parks and monuments, and one of the newest, yet oldest, is the African Burial Ground National Monument, a sacred space honoring the thousands of enslaved Africans buried here in the 17th and 18th centuries.

For generations, their graves were unmarked, but the recovery of the archaeological site led to the creation of this magnificent memorial, a tranquil spot to reflect on the lives of those who built this city long ago.

Enter the Circle of the Diaspora, engraved with symbols from cultures across the Maafa, spiraling towards a central map that reveals the many lands from which enslaved Africans were taken.

In the visitor center, you’ll discover artifacts, hear stories, and learn more about the history of enslavement in colonial New York. Pick up a Junior Ranger book and earn a badge after completing activities to further your understanding of this powerful monument.

Young children will notice the many shapes and patterns incorporated into the design, while older kids will be drawn to symbols both familiar (the cross or the ankh) and perhaps new (guardian of the crossroads and continuity of human life). Next is the Ancestral Libation Chamber, designed to resemble a ship from the Middle Passage and marked with symbols of Sankofa, which means, “learn from the past.” Look for the Seven Reinterment Mounds, where the remains of those discovered here were finally given a proper burial. You are welcome to leave flowers on the mounds, a sign that the memories of these ancestors live on.

Address Broadway at Duane Street, New York, NY 10007, www.nps.gov/afbg // Getting there Subway to Chambers Street (Lines A, C, 1, 2, 3) // Hours See website for seasonal hours // Ages 0+

TIP: Visit East New York’s Sankofa Park to hear poets and storytellers at the Griot Stone.