Charleston’s Journey to Honor Black Burial Sites
Charleston, S.C. is embracing its past in a big way, thanks to a project that has meticulously documented and mapped over 200 Black burial sites. This initiative is an essential step in understanding the city’s history while also ensuring that future developments respect its rich heritage. With collaboration from various organizations, including the Preservation Society of Charleston and the Anson Street African Burial Ground Project, this project has been years in the making.
A Historic Discovery
Brian Turner, the President and CEO of the Preservation Society, recalls a pivotal moment back in 2013 during renovations at the Galliard Center. This was when 36 African ancestors were unearthed, revealing a burial site that dates as far back as the 1760s to 1790s. “The discovery of these ancestors really mobilized a group of people locally to recognize the threats to African American burial grounds, especially with ongoing development,” Turner explains. The remains, which included men, women, and children, were later reinterred, and a statue was created to honor the site.
A Grant to the Rescue
Encouraged by the discoveries, the Preservation Society and the Anson Street project successfully secured a $50,000 grant through a Civil Rights Initiative by the National Park Service. This funding helped catalyze the comprehensive research and documentation of burial grounds across Charleston. According to Turner, “This map serves as a powerful tool, the first of its kind we know of nationally, and we hope it can be replicated in other cities.”
Responding to the Past for a Better Future
Turner reflects on instances from recent years that underscore the importance of understanding land history, particularly when it comes to African American burial sites. In 2020, a residential property sale downtown that was located above two African American cemeteries sparked a crucial dialogue between the Preservation Society and local groups. Unfortunately, the situation highlighted the lack of knowledge and protection for such vital sites.
In a more fortunate turn of events, knowledge regarding a suspected burial site in Cainhoy halted development plans, allowing time for further investigation and protection to take place. “Our real hope is not only that this informs planning, but it provides a platform for people to discover where their ancestors are and to honor them,” emphasizes Turner.
Building Laws for Protection
Thanks to these awareness efforts, in 2021, the City of Charleston adopted a gravesite protection ordinance. This local ordinance extends basic protections for human remains, preventing development impacts on burial sites. The map created through this initiative makes it easier to enforce these protections while educating the public about the presence of burial grounds.
A Step Toward Commemoration
In a recent ceremony held at the College of Charleston, soil was collected from the former site of the Brown Fellowship Society at Rivers Green. This site is one of several suspected Black burial grounds located on the college campus. The soil collected will be used in a permanent memorial for the Anson Street African Burial Ground, set to be unveiled in Spring 2025. “Commemoration is an important part of the process of healing for a community,” says CofC President Andrew Hsu. “By pulling together soil from ancestral burial sites around Charleston, we pay tribute to the past so that our present and future can be better.”
Continuing the Journey
The Brown Fellowship Society utilized the cemetery at Rivers Green until Bishop England High School acquired the property. Following the construction of the Addlestone Library in 2008, a monument was erected to honor the members of the Brown Fellowship Society who were buried there.
As the efforts continue, project collaborators express hope that every step taken will lead to a deeper understanding of the history in Charleston. “It’s incredibly important to honor the legacy of those individuals whose contributions have shaped us,” reflects Turner. The mapping of burial sites is not merely about preserving the past; it’s about building a future that respects and acknowledges each facet of Charleston’s diverse history.
