Rediscovery to Memorial: Portsmouth's African Burial Ground

In October 2003, remains of 13 individuals were discovered during infrastructure work under Chestnut Street in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Eight sets of human remains were exhumed and determined to be of African ancestry. Old maps indicate this area as the “Negro Burying Ground,” where as many as 200 Africans and African-descended people lie in unmarked graves.

The City Council appointed a committee to determine a proper way to honor those buried at Chestnut Street. Over the next twelve years the committee worked with abutters, a national design team, community partners, and the general public to research, design, and fund what has become the African Burying Ground Portsmouth Memorial Park, "We Stand in Honor of Those Forgotten." The park was dedicated in 2015. 

The Portsmouth site is the only known African burying ground from the 18th century in Northern New England. As noted on the site's website, "The intent is to mark with dignity the location of this sacred place – not with headstones like the City’s other places of burial – but by creating a public place of reverence on this block of urban downtown street, in perpetuity, so that we will never again forget those buried beneath." 

Vernis M. Jackson and David Moore will present an illustrated talk on this important piece of history and memorial. Ms. Jackson is Chair of the City of Portsmouth African Burying Ground Committee and Founder and Past President of the Seacoast African American Cultural Center. David Moore is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Portsmouth and project manager for the African Burying Ground Memorial Park.