“It would be hard to think of a place more important to black history in the entire United States,” -- Richmond Branch NAACP President Lynetta Thompson

On September 12, we joined the Richmond chapter of the NAACP, the Defenders’ Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, and dozens of other supporters in urging the Richmond City Council to support the design proposal for a Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park. This concept goes beyond the current mayor’s vision for a small museum atop the Devil's Half Acre/Lumpkin’s Jail site to include the African burial ground and two additional city blocks where other slave jails and trader offices once stood.

Local media covered the event, including a segment by the local ABC affiliate (with video), a story by the local CBS affiliate (with video), and a piece by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Add your voice to the call for an expanded concept for Shockoe Bottom! We’re accepting public comments here.