NEWBURGH – The Newburgh City Council is going to declare itself lead agency in the environmental review process for construction of a monument for re-interment of the remains of former slaves that were unearthed years ago when the former Broadway School was being converted into the city courthouse.
At Thursday night’s city council session, Councilman Omari Shakur asked why it is referred to as the ‘Colored Burial Ground.’
City Development Director Ali Church explained that is the designation from the State Historic Preservation Office.
“This is insisted by the historians who work on this, especially at SHPO. So, there is a group at SHPO – the State Historic Preservation Office – that specifically works on African American history, and specifically African American burial in New York State. And they believe that this the name of the burial ground and the language that we should continue,” she said.
Final plans are being drafted for the memorial that will be erected at Downing Park.
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