"The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is not involved in any way in the lawsuit filed by Sa’ad El-Amin on January 5, 2009 in Richmond Circuit Court against the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The Richmond Slave Trail Commission fully supports the complete determination of the boundaries of the Negro Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom and the proper recognition and memorialization of this sacred site and its remains once determinative boundaries have been established. It is our hope that this can be accomplished through cooperation with the sensitivity and respect that is due to these sacred grounds...."
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
STATEMENT BY
The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District
Regarding the Negro Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom
“The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is not involved in any way in the lawsuit filed by Sa’ad El-Amin on January 5, 2009 in Richmond Circuit Court against the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The Richmond Slave Trail Commission fully supports the complete determination of the boundaries of the Negro Burial Ground in Shockoe Bottom and the proper recognition and memorialization of this sacred site and its remains once determinative boundaries have been established. It is our hope that this can be accomplished through cooperation with the sensitivity and respect that is due to these sacred grounds.
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has and continues to be a great partner in the ongoing projects of the Richmond Slave Trail Commission in Richmond’s Historic Shockoe Bottom Area and we want to stress that they performed the study that was requested of them, which was a preliminary study of the documentary evidence, and that the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has always acknowledged that any hypothesis would have to be tested by archeological means.
The Richmond Slave Trail Commission continues to dialogue with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and appreciates their ongoing consulting services and support as we unearth the rich history of African-Americans.
It is important to emphasize that the burial ground is an important priority along with other important sites which the Richmond Slave Trail Commission is currently developing in that corridor of the City. The Richmond Slave Trail Commission has been working diligently to develop an international heritage route that will also include a National Slavery Museum and state-of-the-art Genealogy Center; commemorative signage and lighting along the Richmond Slave Trail; and a Pavilion to protect the excavation site of the Lumpkin’s Slave Jail and Negro Burial Ground.
Toward this end, we are presently establishing a Foundation so that commemoration of these historic sites can advance and be available as national monuments and as international destinations for the world. It is our hope that this vision, and our design plans and goals will increase the economic vitality of our City and bring a renewed sense of history, culture and pride for all of Richmond’s citizens.
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Our focus remains on the larger picture of respecting and preserving Richmond’s African-American past so that we can move forward in an inclusive way that fully represents the richness and diversity of all our residents.”
BACKGROUND
The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has held open public community forum meetings to hear and discuss ideas from Richmond citizens on how to properly memorialize the site of an historic Richmond Negro Burial Grounds located in the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond. As a result of years of ongoing discussions at the state, local and federal level, a consensus was reached on August 28, 2008 between the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to preserve, rededicate and memorialize land identified as an historic Richmond Negro Burial Ground, which was burial ground for free and enslaved Africans during the 1800's.
Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
The Commission was established by Richmond City Council in 1998 to help promote awareness of the history and legacy of slavery in Richmond. Recent projects have included:
• Richmond Slave Trail formally designated as Historic Landmark
• Richmond Night Walk established along the Richmond Slave Trail
• 2003 Acquisition of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute
• 2006 Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment
• 2007 Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue, erected in 2007 at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue.
• 2008 – 2009 Phase II Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment: which included engineering and storm water engineering
• 2008 Discovery of foundation and architectural artifacts in 2008.
• 2009 Development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program, Signage and Commemorative Site: Lumpkin’s Slave Jail
• 2009 Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum
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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________
MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
