Civic Center in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Foley Square c. 1730
The African Burial Ground Story
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 3, 2019
1. Foley Square c. 1730 Marker
This medallion lies just beyond the edge of the African Burial Ground. Closed in 1794, the African Burial ground once covered more than 5 acres – about 5 city blocks. It is estimated that about 10,000 men, women and children of African Heritage were buried in the original cemetery. Nestled between hills, a portion of the graveyard was covered with earth and buildings as the city expanded northward. It was assumed destroyed by centuries of development; however, in the early 1900’s intact burials were unearthed during the construction of 290 Broadway. The site is now a National Historic Landmark and within the New York City African Burial Ground and Commons Historic District. The surviving remnant of the burial ground is dedicated to all who were enslaved in the city’s early history from 1825 until July 4, 1827, Emancipation Day in New York.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Colonial Era. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1827.
Location. 40° 42.854′ N, 74° 0.209′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Civic Center. Marker is at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Duane Street, on the right when traveling south on Lafayette Street. The marker is set flat into the pavement. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Judge Walter R. Mansfield Memorial (here, next to this marker); Triumph of the Human Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Regarding Foley Square c. 1730. One of several markers in the area dealing with Foley Square and/or The African Burial Ground.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 23, 2019
2. Foley Square c. 1730 marker site
The Judge Walter R. Mansfield Memorial is also visible.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 3, 2019
3. Foley Square c. 1730 marker, center motif
The African Burial Ground 1712-1794
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 3, 2019
4. Foley Square c. 1730 marker, lower half
Left motif: The African Free School – 1878
Center motif: Foley Square c. 1730 area map with a “You Are Here” reference point near the center.
Right motif: African landowners and farmers under Dutch rule
Text ribbon: Do you want to see me broken?/Shoulders falling down like teardrops/weakened by my soulful cries./Does my haughtiness offend you?/Don’t you take it awful hard/cause I laugh like I got a gold mine/diggin’ in my own backyard./You may shoot me with your words./ You may cut me with your eyes./You may kill me with your hatefulness,/But still like air I rise.
Center motif: Foley Square c. 1730 area map with a “You Are Here” reference point near the center.
Right motif: African landowners and farmers under Dutch rule
Text ribbon: Do you want to see me broken?/Shoulders falling down like teardrops/weakened by my soulful cries./Does my haughtiness offend you?/Don’t you take it awful hard/cause I laugh like I got a gold mine/diggin’ in my own backyard./You may shoot me with your words./ You may cut me with your eyes./You may kill me with your hatefulness,/But still like air I rise.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, March 3, 2019
5. Foley Square c. 1730 marker, upper half
Left motif: Mourners at a gravesite in the African Burial Ground
Central motif: The African Burial Ground Story text
Right motif: First slave auction in New Amsterdam – 1655
Text ribbon: Out of the huts of history’s shame/I rise/up from a past that’s rooted in pain/I rise/I’m a black ocean/leaping and wide/Welling and swelling I bear the tide./Leaving behind nights of terror and fear/I rise/Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear/I rise/ Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave/I am the dream and the hope of the slave/I rise
Central motif: The African Burial Ground Story text
Right motif: First slave auction in New Amsterdam – 1655
Text ribbon: Out of the huts of history’s shame/I rise/up from a past that’s rooted in pain/I rise/I’m a black ocean/leaping and wide/Welling and swelling I bear the tide./Leaving behind nights of terror and fear/I rise/Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear/I rise/ Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave/I am the dream and the hope of the slave/I rise
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on March 23, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 9, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
