Anson Street Burials Project
Over the next year (February 2018-2019) we will be working with the City of Charleston and many other partners to provide a series of 'Community Conversations', conduct DNA research and facilitate an education and arts program, in preparation of the reinterment (reburial) of the thirty-six individuals uncovered in 2013 during construction at the Gaillard Center.
We are excited about this significant opportunity to reconcile this past and honor the people that were buried on this sacred ground. The remains of the thirty-six, probably African-descended, individuals are the earliest burials found in Charleston so far, dating to the mid-late 1700s. We hope that ancient DNA research will add to archaeological research already completed to help us learn more about the individuals that were buried at this site.
The Community Conversations will be held at various community venues in and around Charleston, these are free and open to the public, with delicious Gullah cuisine provided by Hannibal's Kitchen. We want to hear what you think are appropriate ways to remember and honor our ancestors buried near Anson Street. Through the community engagement, school and art programs we hope to explore what you would like to see for the memorial. How does our understanding of the identity of the people buried at this site and those of African descent living in Charleston today affect the reinterment ceremony and the design of a monument?
We are excited about this significant opportunity to reconcile this past and honor the people that were buried on this sacred ground. The remains of the thirty-six, probably African-descended, individuals are the earliest burials found in Charleston so far, dating to the mid-late 1700s. We hope that ancient DNA research will add to archaeological research already completed to help us learn more about the individuals that were buried at this site.
The Community Conversations will be held at various community venues in and around Charleston, these are free and open to the public, with delicious Gullah cuisine provided by Hannibal's Kitchen. We want to hear what you think are appropriate ways to remember and honor our ancestors buried near Anson Street. Through the community engagement, school and art programs we hope to explore what you would like to see for the memorial. How does our understanding of the identity of the people buried at this site and those of African descent living in Charleston today affect the reinterment ceremony and the design of a monument?
