Manhattan College Community Based Learning Course
During Spring 2019, Adam Arenson, Manhattan College Associate Professor of History and Director of the Urban Studies Program, leads a college course "to learn more about the history of slavery in the Bronx, and to see what this history means for the current residents of these neighborhoods, and for those whose families have roots here. We want to use our research skills as historians to help people learn more about their history and their connections. And we plan to consider what kind of memorial is right for this legacy of slavery, and the enslaved people buried in unmarked graves, in the Bronx and elsewhere."
Bronx Ink Coverage on the 'Inequity in the Greenest Borough'
"When an elementary school class discovered a slave burial ground at a public park in Hunts Point, the Parks Department gave it official recognition in 2014. But plans for a memorial have since stalled at the local level."
The Point CDC LEads a Summer INTERnSHIP DESIGN PROGRAM
During Summer 2018, the educational work of the HSPBG project extended to young adults through a collaboration with The Point CDC, which has been a steadfast supporter of the HSPBG project. A.C.T.I.O.N. youth were given the tools to become community organizers, learning methods for collecting survey data to then digitally design and map out proposals for permanent memorials in Drake Park. A.C.T.I.O.N. youth focused on leading the community towards determining, advocating and designing a permanent memorial and general improvement of local parklands, particularly Joseph Rodman Drake Park.
AT&T Digital Storytelling Challenge by Donorschoose.org
Digital storytelling is a powerful tool for student success. And when technology meets creativity, students win. The HPSBG Project brings digital storytelling to students in the Hunts Point neighborhood of New York City. As a result, the Project participated in the AT&T Digital Storytelling Challenge presented by DonorsChoose.org in Spring 2018.
As one of 30 finalists from over 870 projects across the nation, the HPSBG had the opportunity to compete for $5,000 to sustain more educational programming for youth in Hunts Point. Want to continue supporting HPSBG's educational advocacy work? |
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NEW YORK TIMES: READY TO ROLL? A WORKS IN PROGRESS REPORT
In a January 2018 follow up on the progress of many Works in Progress, New York Times' journalist Helene Stapinski updates us all on the progress surrounding many amazing projects, including the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. View the specific update on the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project.
New York Times: Honoring a Hidden Slave Burial Ground
In November 2017, The New York Times' Helene Stapinski covered the current progress of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project in her column, Works in Progress, where she writes about the ongoing advocacy for developing a community-designed permanent memorial and educational outreach to remember those once forgotten in Hunts Point.
Johnnie Butler’s favorite spot to practice trombone is near a small burial ground for slaves. Credit David Dee Delgado for The New York Times
Johnnie Butler’s favorite spot to practice trombone is near a small burial ground for slaves. Credit David Dee Delgado for The New York Times
SUMMER 2017: Archaeology Report released confirmS the Site
"The historical photographic and documentary evidence supports the existence of a slave burial ground historically located on the south side of Old Hunts Point Road across from the family burial ground of the Hunt, Leggett, and Willett families known today as Drake Cemetery." Read the entire archaeology report from the New York City Landmark Preservation Commission or read it directly here on the HPSBG site. Then, join the community Facebook discussion on where do we go from here? The final report validates the work of the student archeologists and builds upon their cemetery headstone census work.
HPSBG DISCUSSED on WBAI's Trump Watch
Listen as Phil Panaritis discusses the mission of the HPSBG on the radio and online with WBAI's Trump Watch with Paul DeRienzo. Download a copy for offline listening even! Or download on iTunes.
Spring 2017 Meeting with Office of NYS State Senator Klein
On May 23, 2017, members of the PS 48 HPSBG educators team met with the office of State Sen. Jeffrey D. Klein, a long term partner for the HPSBG, to discuss future collaboration opportunities.
'BEYONd THE HALL' Symposium at Bronx Community College
Phil Panaritis presented at the Beyond the Hall: A Day of Conversation about Commemoration, Historic Preservation, & the Study of History Symposium at Bronx Community College on May 12, 2017. He was on the panel telling the story of Bronx Histories with Angel Hernandez, Director of Programs and External Relations, The Bronx County Historical Society and Elena Martinez, Co-Artistic Director, Bronx Music Heritage Center.
HANDS on Archaeology for the Students
In Spring 2017, students become archaeologists! During the South Bronx English Intensive Sessions after school program sponsored by PS 48, developed analytical skills and career-readiness, alongside literacy, science, and mathematics understandings as they researched historical artifacts from archaeological digs in New York City. These skills contextually prepare the students for critically investigating the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project during May and June.
HPSBG Project Organizes A Community Meeting
The HPSBG Project at PS 48 hosted a meeting, alongside the offices of New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Bronx Borough Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, with members of the community to begin the process of developing plans for a permanent memorial. A presentation of the official findings of the Hunts Point Burial Ground Plan 1A Documentary Study and Ground Penetrating Radar Survey, funded by the Office of Sen. Klein, corroborated and confirmed the research conducted by the HPSBG student-historians.
THE HPSBG Project and the Periwinkle Initiative
In December 2016, the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project was included in the Memory and Landmarks: Reports of the Burial Database Project of Enslaved Americans. The burial database has been developed through the efforts of the Periwinkle Initiative, which is "a public humanities and education initiative dedicated to preserving cultural heritage associated with enslaved Americans. The Initiative’s core project is the National Burial Database of Enslaved Americans – which will be the first and only national repository to document individual burials and burial grounds of enslaved Americans." The work of the HPSBG has been recognized in the Periwinkle Initiative's Spotlight on Local Work. Allison Meier writes about the database and HPSBG's inclusion over at Hyperallergic.
INVESTIGATING CEMETERY HEADSTONES with Project Archaeologist
Students engaged in authentic, hands on archaeological research in collaboration with Jessica S. MacLean, PhD, RPA Archaeologist, resident archaeologist for the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project housed at PS 48 during spring 2016. Students conducted an inventory of the gravestones in Drake Park. This included investigating geologic concepts (science), documenting each headstone through photographs (literacy, technology and art), mapping their locations (literacy, mathematics, geography, technology), and transcribing information located on the inscriptions (literacy, art). View the program's curriculum and media and The Bronx Times coverage of the students' archaeological work.
New York State Archaeological Association Talk
On June 15, 2015, Phil Panaritis and Justin Czarka spoke at a meeting of the Metropolitan Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association, at Columbia University, to highlight the current progress of the project, and provide guidance on the project going forward. The event brought together HPSBG with archaeologists to view and consult on documents related to the project. The event was organized by Nan Rothschild, Director of Admissions for the Museum Studies Program at Columbia University.
National Council for History Education
Phil Panaritis and Brian Carlin recently presented at the 2015 National Council for History Education (NCHE) national conference. They presented the story of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project as an exemplar for utilizing social justice and advocacy in education for curriculum design. View the resources prepared for the national conference on the HPSBG NCHE Page.
Drake Park stewardship: it's my park day(s)!
Come out on Saturday, October 18, 2014, to Drake Park for It's My Park Day! Get involved in stewardship activities with NYC Parks like raking, mulching, and planting. Transform the park into a natural respite from the hustle and bustle while improving the site of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. Continue the hard efforts of the students of PS 48, who collaborated yet again with NYC Parks and New Yorkers for Parks, to plant daffodil bulbs in remembrance of September 11 and HPSBG.
Upcoming Community board Meeting
Join the discussion to determine how to best remember the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. Come out on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 6 p.m. at the Hunts Point Rec Center, located at 765 Manida Street (click for location). Post the Community Board Meeting Flyer, invite others, and have your voice heard by our community's elected officials.
HPSBG Featured on ABC7's Here and Now
ABC's Here and Now showcases the work of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project. The segment, airing on February 15, 2015, includes an interview with Phil Panaritis, project co-founder, that details the modern process to uncover the lost history of New York City. The segment highlights the work of students, historians, educators, and community organizers to remember the lives long forgotten.
2014 NYC Department of Education Principals Conference
On July 8, 2014, the HPSBG Team of Principal Roxanne Cardona, alongside educators Ms. Grace Binuya and Mr. Justin Czarka, present strategies to elementary school principals for implementing local history projects in their schools. The session titled Authentic Historical Investigations: The Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project provides an opportunity to "Learn how an old photograph and curiosity inspired a school’s multi-year investigation into a forgotten slave burial ground in the Bronx. After two years of intensive research by PS 48 students and educators, the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project team located the site of an obliterated cemetery for dozens of enslaved Africans who worked the large agricultural estates on the Hunts Point peninsula from 1664 to 1827, when slavery ended in NY State. In the course of their investigation, the PS 48 and Bronx TAH Grants team partnered with local historians and institutions to locate dozens of pertinent primary and secondary source documents including: wills, census records, newspaper articles, maps, books and photos. Learn about this amazing journey and strategies to make history come alive."
Parkchester NAACP Chapter Honors Student Historians
On June 25, 2014 Ms. Beverly Roberts of the Parkchester Chapter of the NAACP visited the students of PS 48. She provided Certificates of Recognition for their efforts in discovering and remembering the final resting place of the enslaved Africans in Hunts Point. View the NAACP Ceremony images.
Hunts Point FIsh Parade and Summer Festival- June 21, 2014
The Point will be hosting the 11th annual Hunts Point Fish Parade and Summer Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2014. HPSBG will be participating...how about you? This year's theme is "Celebrating Youth Power." Find out more about the 2014 Hunts Point Fish Parade.
'REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN'- MAY 29, 2014
On May 29, 2014, the students of PS 48's school community will come together to 'Remember the Forgotten' at 12:00 p.m. at Drake Park. For more information click here.
HPSBG Funding Press Conference- May 9, 2014
On Friday, May 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. the Office of New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein hosted a press conference regarding funding allocations awarded for the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project. Held at Drake Park, the press conference announced capital funds for the development of a permanent memorial to those whose final resting place was once obliterated. Today, the community of Hunts Point led by the students of PS 48 returns the forgotten to our shared history.
Teaching Social Activism Conference at MCNY- May 3, 2014
Join HPSBG at the Museum of the CIty of New York on Saturday May 3, 2014, for the Teaching Social Activism Conference. The HPSBG project will present on the lessons learned along the way, focusing on the conference theme 'How does teaching social activism in the classroom prepare students to be active citizens in their communities, the city, and beyond?'. For more information on the conference, visit the conference website. Conference agenda is located here.
New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) Annual Daffodil Breakfast- April 17, 2014
On April 17, 2014, the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground was represented by Ms. Grace Binuya and Ms. Anitra Lauro at the annual daffodil breakfast hosted by New Yorkers for Parks. NY4P honored HPSBG and the students of PS 48 for their commitment to remembering the past through the development of a living memorial commemorating September 11 and beautifying Drake Park, site of the slave burial ground. See more information about this event here.
New York History Blog Post on 'The Bronx State of History'
Peter Feinman writes in the blog, which posts on historical news and viewpoints in New York State, in part, "students at Public School 48 appear to have uncovered an African slave burial ground in Joseph Rodman Drake Park. The school has asked the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to officially recognize the park. This work was spearheaded by Philip Panaritis of the NYC Education Department who was involved in the Teaching American History program. He is a strong advocate of bringing local history, specifically The Bronx, into the school curriculum." View the entire blog at the New York History Blog.
Teachers Present at District 8 Parents as Partners Workshop- January 17, 2014
On January 17, 2014, Ms. Mary Brown, Ms. Anitra Lauro, and Mr. Phil Panaritis introduced "Teaching HPSBG and the Common Core" to parents and representatives of the New York City Department of Education.
HPSBG presents at the East Bronx History Forum- January 15, 2014
Learn the story of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. Come to the East Bronx History Forum Presentation on January 15, 2014, at the Huntington Library, 9 Westchester Square, Bronx NY 10461. Click for event photos.
HPSBG Follow Up Community Planning Meeting, December 9, 2013
Where: Bright Temple AME Church 812 Faile Street, Bronx, NY 10474
When: December 9th, 2013 Time: 6:00pm
Agenda: View here.
Bronx Talk- November 25, 2013
Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground was featured on BronxNet's TV Show Bronx Talk with Gary Axelbank on Monday, November 25, 2013. View the episode here. "Hosted by Gary Axelbank, BronxTalk is the center of focus for topical discussions about Bronx education, crime and policing, politics, health care, youth services, domestic violence, housing, economic development, arts and entertainment, quality of life, and many other vital Bronx issues. - See more at Bronx Talk."
HPSBG Election Day Educator Professional Development Day, November 5, 2013
Learn the HPSBG Project story, how to implement HPSBG resources and lessons in your classroom, and take a gallery walk of critical images related to the project. View the agenda here.
HPSBG Community Meeting, October 21, 2013
P.S. 48, the Office of Congressman Jose Serrano, and Bronx TAH, hosted a community forum where school administration and teachers shared the educational mission of the project with members of the community. The community meeting brought together interested stakeholders to discuss the educational progress of the project, as well as lay the groundwork for further advocacy to be conducted by community groups.
HPSBG Educator Workshop, June 6, 2013- P.S. 48: The Joseph Rodman Drake School
HPSBG hosts an educator workshop for the educators at P.S. 48, The Joseph Rodman Drake School. Teachers headed down to the Drake Cemetery in order to explore local history in Hunts Point, along with developing teaching ideas for the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project. View photos here.
Bronx Teaching American History's April 27, 2013 Presentation
The Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project presented to a local group of Teaching American History (TAH) educators on April 27, 2013. Check out the presentation here. View photos from the event here and here.
On July 8, 2014, the HPSBG Team of Principal Roxanne Cardona, alongside educators Ms. Grace Binuya and Mr. Justin Czarka, present strategies to elementary school principals for implementing local history projects in their schools. The session titled Authentic Historical Investigations: The Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground Project provides an opportunity to "Learn how an old photograph and curiosity inspired a school’s multi-year investigation into a forgotten slave burial ground in the Bronx. After two years of intensive research by PS 48 students and educators, the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project team located the site of an obliterated cemetery for dozens of enslaved Africans who worked the large agricultural estates on the Hunts Point peninsula from 1664 to 1827, when slavery ended in NY State. In the course of their investigation, the PS 48 and Bronx TAH Grants team partnered with local historians and institutions to locate dozens of pertinent primary and secondary source documents including: wills, census records, newspaper articles, maps, books and photos. Learn about this amazing journey and strategies to make history come alive."
Parkchester NAACP Chapter Honors Student Historians
On June 25, 2014 Ms. Beverly Roberts of the Parkchester Chapter of the NAACP visited the students of PS 48. She provided Certificates of Recognition for their efforts in discovering and remembering the final resting place of the enslaved Africans in Hunts Point. View the NAACP Ceremony images.
Hunts Point FIsh Parade and Summer Festival- June 21, 2014
The Point will be hosting the 11th annual Hunts Point Fish Parade and Summer Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2014. HPSBG will be participating...how about you? This year's theme is "Celebrating Youth Power." Find out more about the 2014 Hunts Point Fish Parade.
'REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN'- MAY 29, 2014
On May 29, 2014, the students of PS 48's school community will come together to 'Remember the Forgotten' at 12:00 p.m. at Drake Park. For more information click here.
HPSBG Funding Press Conference- May 9, 2014
On Friday, May 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. the Office of New York State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein hosted a press conference regarding funding allocations awarded for the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project. Held at Drake Park, the press conference announced capital funds for the development of a permanent memorial to those whose final resting place was once obliterated. Today, the community of Hunts Point led by the students of PS 48 returns the forgotten to our shared history.
Teaching Social Activism Conference at MCNY- May 3, 2014
Join HPSBG at the Museum of the CIty of New York on Saturday May 3, 2014, for the Teaching Social Activism Conference. The HPSBG project will present on the lessons learned along the way, focusing on the conference theme 'How does teaching social activism in the classroom prepare students to be active citizens in their communities, the city, and beyond?'. For more information on the conference, visit the conference website. Conference agenda is located here.
New Yorkers for Parks (NY4P) Annual Daffodil Breakfast- April 17, 2014
On April 17, 2014, the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground was represented by Ms. Grace Binuya and Ms. Anitra Lauro at the annual daffodil breakfast hosted by New Yorkers for Parks. NY4P honored HPSBG and the students of PS 48 for their commitment to remembering the past through the development of a living memorial commemorating September 11 and beautifying Drake Park, site of the slave burial ground. See more information about this event here.
New York History Blog Post on 'The Bronx State of History'
Peter Feinman writes in the blog, which posts on historical news and viewpoints in New York State, in part, "students at Public School 48 appear to have uncovered an African slave burial ground in Joseph Rodman Drake Park. The school has asked the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to officially recognize the park. This work was spearheaded by Philip Panaritis of the NYC Education Department who was involved in the Teaching American History program. He is a strong advocate of bringing local history, specifically The Bronx, into the school curriculum." View the entire blog at the New York History Blog.
Teachers Present at District 8 Parents as Partners Workshop- January 17, 2014
On January 17, 2014, Ms. Mary Brown, Ms. Anitra Lauro, and Mr. Phil Panaritis introduced "Teaching HPSBG and the Common Core" to parents and representatives of the New York City Department of Education.
HPSBG presents at the East Bronx History Forum- January 15, 2014
Learn the story of the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground. Come to the East Bronx History Forum Presentation on January 15, 2014, at the Huntington Library, 9 Westchester Square, Bronx NY 10461. Click for event photos.
HPSBG Follow Up Community Planning Meeting, December 9, 2013
Where: Bright Temple AME Church 812 Faile Street, Bronx, NY 10474
When: December 9th, 2013 Time: 6:00pm
Agenda: View here.
Bronx Talk- November 25, 2013
Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground was featured on BronxNet's TV Show Bronx Talk with Gary Axelbank on Monday, November 25, 2013. View the episode here. "Hosted by Gary Axelbank, BronxTalk is the center of focus for topical discussions about Bronx education, crime and policing, politics, health care, youth services, domestic violence, housing, economic development, arts and entertainment, quality of life, and many other vital Bronx issues. - See more at Bronx Talk."
HPSBG Election Day Educator Professional Development Day, November 5, 2013
Learn the HPSBG Project story, how to implement HPSBG resources and lessons in your classroom, and take a gallery walk of critical images related to the project. View the agenda here.
HPSBG Community Meeting, October 21, 2013
P.S. 48, the Office of Congressman Jose Serrano, and Bronx TAH, hosted a community forum where school administration and teachers shared the educational mission of the project with members of the community. The community meeting brought together interested stakeholders to discuss the educational progress of the project, as well as lay the groundwork for further advocacy to be conducted by community groups.
HPSBG Educator Workshop, June 6, 2013- P.S. 48: The Joseph Rodman Drake School
HPSBG hosts an educator workshop for the educators at P.S. 48, The Joseph Rodman Drake School. Teachers headed down to the Drake Cemetery in order to explore local history in Hunts Point, along with developing teaching ideas for the Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project. View photos here.
Bronx Teaching American History's April 27, 2013 Presentation
The Hunts Point Slave Burial Ground (HPSBG) Project presented to a local group of Teaching American History (TAH) educators on April 27, 2013. Check out the presentation here. View photos from the event here and here.