African Burial Ground National Monument
Rate this placeNearby: Thomas Paine Park Collect Pond Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The African Burial Ground National Monument is located in New York City, not New Jersey.
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Summary
It is a memorial site dedicated to the memory of enslaved Africans and their descendants who were buried in the area during the 17th and 18th centuries. The site was discovered during construction work in 1991 and is now a National Monument and a significant historical landmark.
Some good reasons to visit the site are to learn about the history of slavery in the United States and the contributions of African Americans to the country's development. Visitors can see the exhibition center, which displays historical artifacts found at the site, and the outdoor memorial, which features sculptures and inscriptions that pay tribute to the lives lost.
Interesting facts about the area include that the burial ground was in use for over 100 years and is estimated to contain the remains of at least 15,000 individuals. The site was also the largest African American cemetery in the country during the 18th century.
The best time of year to visit is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor exploration. Visitors should also be aware that the site is closed on certain holidays and has limited hours of operation on weekends.
In summary, the African Burial Ground National Monument is a significant historical site that offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the experiences of enslaved Africans and their descendants in the United States. The site is home to an exhibition center and outdoor memorial that commemorate the lives lost and provide insight into the history of slavery in the country.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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