Long known to local African American historians and culture keepers, the paved-over burying ground was accidentally unearthed during a city infrastructure project in 2003. Archaeologists and engineers paused the project. Following public concern over the historically disregarded site, Mayor Evelyn Sirrell and the City Council appointed the African Burying Ground Committee in 2004 to determine a proper way to honor the deceased. SAACC board members Vernis Jackson, Mary Bailey, and Kelvin Edwards and SAACC collaborator historian Valerie Cunningham were appointed to the Committee, with Jackson as chairperson.

The process of turning the site into today’s Memorial Park took more than ten years, involving research, recovery, the solicitation and selection of local and national park and sculptural designers, fundraising and liaising with the city, and finally a public remembrance and ritual re-interment of those who were recovered. SAACC board members were instrumental to this entire process, from attending meetings to ceremonially holding the remains of individuals in their local church while the park project came to its completion in 2015. Please see the City of Portsmouth’s website for more information about the park and its development process.

Along with its kindred community organizations, SAACC considers itself a steward of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park on behalf of those who lie beneath, their descendants, and those who visit to learn, reflect, and find inspiration to make a difference in the world.