Julie Schablitsky, president of the SHA said, “Society for Historical Archaeology members have advocated for federal leadership to protect and preserve these sacred places. These sacred sites, and the stories they tell, are an integral part of our American heritage. It will assist descendants and communities in honoring and remembering their shared past by providing grant monies to identify, interpret, and preserve historic cemeteries.

The African American Burial Grounds Preservation Program will help identify burial grounds ahead of infrastructure projects and commercial development, thereby minimizing construction delays and avoiding unnecessary community heartache. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and the late Rep. Five years in the making, the effort in Congress was led by Sen. This bill is expected to be signed into law by President Biden at the end of this week. The Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA) thanks the bipartisan group of lawmakers who secured inclusion of the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act in the omnibus appropriations bill.

Commerce township burying ground: