From about the 1690s until 1794, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6-acre burial ground in Lower Manhattan, outside the boundaries of the settlement of New York. Lost to history due to the northward spread of the city, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 by archaeologists as part of the planned construction of a Federal office building. In all 419 bodies were discovered — giving an indication of how many other interments still lie beneath Lower Manhattan. (Estimates have ranged from 10,000 to 20,000.) Information on physical/forensic, social, economic, and ritual aspects of the interred enslaved population of colonial New York as well as those of buried freedmen and other marginal peoples were revealed by the archaeological investigations. The investigations have had a lasting effect on African-American history and America’s heritage.

Ages 18+

The library's policy on children states "children in fifth grade and under shall be accompanied in the building by a responsible adult who must remain with the children at all times." In other words, children may not be left in the Youth Services area unattended while you attend this program. Thank you for your cooperation.