Community Corner
African American Burial Ground in New York City
This
talk by archaeologist Eugene Boesch
concerns the archaeological investigation
of the African burial ground in New York City in 1991-1992. It revealed
information on
the lifestyles of enslaved and other people of color in 18th century New York
City. The work shed light on ritual and social practices, as well as
the physical state, of the City's African population. 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 Amsterdam, later known as New York. Lost to history due to
landfill and development, the grounds were rediscovered in 1991 as a
consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building. It is the
newest National Monument in New York City. Dr. Boesch’s work has primarily focused on Native American
cultures and adaptations in the Eastern Woodlands of North America and on early
Euro-American settlement in the Hudson Valley region. He also has worked in Israel,
California, and throughout the Illinois River Valley. He teaches at Adelphi University and
Westchester Community College. A concern
for local historic preservation issues has led Dr. Boesch to become a member of
the Westchester County Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and the Putnam
County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission. The Renard Active
Retirement Lecture Series welcomes the entire community. The fee is $5
per person. For more information, please call Linda, 914.366.7898.