African Burial Ground National Monument

The African Burial Ground National Monument is a powerful tribute to the estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans interred in a 6.6-acre burial ground during the 17th and 18th centuries. Rediscovered in 1991 during construction of a federal building, the site sparked a national conversation about the legacy of slavery. The outdoor memorial features a circular granite map of the burial ground, a libation court, and seven mounds representing the seven directions (north, south, east, west, zenith, nadir, and the center). Inside the adjacent visitor center, exhibits display artifacts, educational panels, and a short film. The site is a place of reflection and education, offering a poignant glimpse into New York City's early history and the contributions of African descendants.

Don't miss

• The Ancestral Libation Court, where visitors can pour water as a symbolic offering
• The circular 'Circle of the Diaspora' map showing burial ground outlines
• Seven burial mounds representing the seven directions in African cosmology
• The visitor center's exhibits, including artifacts and a 20-minute film
• The 'Spiral of Return' sculpture by Rodney Leon, the monument's architect

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit African Burial Ground National Monument

Cheapest way in9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Museum Admission4.8★ · 61 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$24 per personSee dates →Most bookedCentral Park Pedicab Guided Tours5★ · 8,040 travelers1–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$42 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Tour Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers New York City5★ · 24 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$150 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Allow extra time if visiting the visitor center, as it has limited capacity and may require a reservation.
• Photography is allowed outdoors; no flash inside the visitor center.
• Free audio guides are available at the visitor center for a self-guided tour.
• The memorial is outdoors; dress for the weather and note that some areas may be slippery when wet.

A bit of history

Discovered in 1991 during excavation for a federal office tower, the site was the largest and oldest known colonial-era burial ground for enslaved Africans in the United States. After protests and a Congressional mandate, the remains were reinterred in 2003, and the site was designated a National Historic Landmark and National Monument in 2006.