Future Plans
The ABGMF’s mission is to make the African Burial Ground a destination and resource for education, reflection, celebration, and preservation of a critical aspect of New York City and American history. To achieve this, the Foundation will undertake the following key activities over the course of the next several years.
Phase 1: Monument Restoration, Curriculum Development, and Tour Expansion
ABGMF will advise the National Park Service in the process of soliciting proposals from technical consultants with specialized expertise in stone engineering and restoration. The National Park Service shall procure a contractor to perform the restoration and preservation work. ABGMF President, Rodney Leon shall serve in a design and technical advisory capacity.
Curriculum Development – ABGMF will create a grade-appropriate educational curriculum for NYC public school students that will highlight and contextualize the history of the African Burial Ground. This activity will be conducted by an educational consultant procured by the ABGMF.
Tour Expansion – ABGMF will expand upon and create guided in-person, age- and audience-appropriate, tours, along with digital experiences. These tours will be curated and facilitated through collaboration with the U.S. National Park Service staff, ABGMF volunteers, and consultants.
Phase 2: Visitor's Center
ABGMF will procure and establish a Visitor Center to provide a welcoming, contemplative space for visitors to access resources and education when visiting the ABGM site. Plans are to lease a space to house the Visitors' Center.
The procurement of a lease and build out of the space will be a joint effort between the ABGMF, U.S. National Parks Service and a consultant.
Phase 3: Development and construction of an African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum & Education Center
This will be a permanent space for exhibitions, education, and events that will support the ongoing work of both the Foundation and the role of the monument site in the civic life of the city and the nation.