Congressman Dan Goldman Calls for Swift Repairs to the African Burial Ground National Monument

One of Most Historically Important Monuments to Black History in NYC 

Safety Concerns Due to Fractures in Foundation of Ancestral Chamber

Pictures of the Ancestral Chamber are Available Here

Washington D.C. - Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today called on the National Park Service to make essential repairs to the African Burial Ground National Monument. These repairs are needed to reopen the Ancestral Chamber, which is currently closed due to multiple hairline fractures in the foundation of the exhibit that make it unsafe. The African Burial Ground holds the remains of approximately 15,000 Africans and early-generation African Americans and remains one of the most historically significant monuments to Black History in New York.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below. 

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The Honorable Charles F. Sams III  

Director  

National Park Service   

1849 C Street,  

NW Washington, DC 20240

Dear Mr. Sams:

I write today to urge you to take swift action to make the much-needed repairs to the African Burial Ground National Monument so that the closed Ancestral Chamber can reopen to the public. As you know, my district’s African Burial Ground holds the remains of an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans and early-generation African Americans from the colonial era and is one of the most historically significant monuments to Black History in New York. It is a stark and sobering reminder of the fact that New York and America was built by Black Americans, and to a great extent on the back of Black Americans.

I recently toured the site to see for myself that this critical feature within the African Burial Ground National Monument’s outdoor memorial is temporarily closed due to safety concerns at the Ancestral Chamber. I understand that multiple hairline fractures along the foundation need to be addressed so that this feature can safely reopen to the public. Please update me on your budget estimate and timeline for these renovations, as well as your target date to reopen it to the public. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

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