New design proposals for Shockoe burying ground memorial will be revealed Saturday
The city is holding an event on Saturday, July 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to unveil preliminary design concepts for a memorial at the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground site.
The event will be at Abner Clay Park, located at 200 W. Clay St. in Richmond.
Late last year, the city designated the site a cemetery, in recognition of the estimated 22,000 people buried at the site. There has also been an ongoing dispute with Lamar Advertising over a billboard located at the site.
Saturday's event is being held in conjunction with The Shockoe Project, a city initiative to properly memorialize the slave trade that happened in the Shockoe Valley.
According to the city, the event will include:
- Remarks from a direct descendant of those buried at the site.
- Viewing of initial memorial design concepts.
- The opportunity to share feedback and ideas to help guide the final design.
- The chance to learn more about the history and next steps in the memorial process.
“This is a vital step The Shockoe Project and the City of Richmond are taking toward honoring and reclaiming this sacred ground,” Leo Mantey, manager of the overall Shockoe Project, wrote in a press release. “Community voices are essential in shaping a memorial that truly reflects the dignity and legacy of those buried here.”
Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.
