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1992: Elizabeth Cann Kambourian, local author and Richmond historian, does the definitive research to
confirm the existence and location of the "Burial Ground for Negroes" north of the 1500 block of E. Broad Street in Shockoe
Bottom historic district.
1996: Slave Trail Commission, originally founded by former Mayor Walter Kenney,
was re-established by Sa'ad El-Amin, then 6th District Councilman, as chair. Members of Hope in the Cities have
standing seats on the commission, as well as community representatives from the 9 districts.
1999: Oct. 12, Richmond City Council unanimously passes resolution to clear
Gabriel's name as a criminal and declare him to be a "patriot" and a "freedom fighter." Patroned initially by Sa'ad El-Amin
and then at vote by Delores McQuinn and Mayor McCullom, the idea was raised by Gabriel's great, great, great grandson, Dr.
Haskell Bingham.
2001: The first annual Torch-Lit Night Walk of the Slave Trail, in conjunction
with the Juneteenth Celebration, was co-sponsored by the city of Richmond’s Slave Trail Commission and the Elegba
Folklore Society
2002: The night walk was extended to include the site of the Burial Ground.
Elizabeth Cann Kambourian presents her research laying out the maps that prove the existance and general location of the "Burial
Ground for Negroes" during Juneteenth program.
2004: October 10th dedication of the historical highway marker
to honor the life of rebellion leader Gabriel and his fellow martyrs to the cause of freedom from bondage, and the affirmation
of the location fo the Burial Ground. The dedication ceremony was preceded by a symposium and panel discussion that featured
Elvatrice Parker Belsches (author/historian), Elizabeth Kambourian (author/historian), Dr. Haskell Bingham (descendant), Dr.
Michael Blakey (director of research for NY African Burial Ground), Douglas Egerton (author of Gabriel's Rebellion and
the Slave Insurrections of 1800 and 1802). In December the Defenders formed the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation
Project to focus on reclamation of the burial ground site.
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2005:
Newly formed Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project's first efforts include struggle to prevent the attempt by
the Braves baseball team owner and developer, Global Development, to construct a sports/entertainment complex with luxury
retail/condominium properties in the heart of Shockoe Bottom, a project that would have destroyed existing local businesses
and wiped out the historic character, remains and potential for development as an intact magnet for heritage tourism.
2006:
Development plan withdrawn. Publicized VCU strategic plan to re-pave the parking lot and called for meetings with President
Trani to discuss alternate strategies.
2007:
State NAACP successfully petitions Governor Timothy L. Kaine to unofficially pardon Gabriel's conviction and declare him a
freedom fighter. October 10 is 5th anniversary of annual commemorations to honor Gabriel and the ancestors buried in Shockoe
Bottom. Press conference held on August 30, day of planned rebellion, re-affirming it a day of honor in the fight for
freedom.
2008: VCU purchases the parking lot property
in February. In June, improvement efforts are thwarted by local activists which triggered commitments by Slave Trail Commission,
city and state officials and Department of Historic Resources to work with VCU to secure the site from further harm. DHR commissions
an assessment of existing research to determine site parameters and accepts its conclusions and on this basis VCU agrees to
set aside a 50' x 110' area of the parking lot parallel to Interstate 95 for use as a memorial site. The Institute for Historical
Biology issues a review of the DHR report challenging the faulty premise upon which it rested its conclusions and recommends
excavation as the customary next-step for investigation to determine the burial sites. Mayor's office announces RFP for Shockoe
Bottom and Boulevard districts redevelopment plan awarded to Highwoods Development. Community meetings begin. Black August
Planning Committee and Happily Natural Day coordinators include tours of Trail of Enslaved Africans and Gabriels' Rebellion
for 2nd year. 15 participants are from DC, Maryland and Virginia.
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2009: Highwoods Development plan pulled by developer when financing
and site use conflicts cannot be resolved. Slave Trail Commission hires BAM Architects to draft Shockoe Bottom Heritage Plan
to encompass the entire Slave Trail, slave trading district, Seaboard building, Lumpkin's Jail excavation site and 5500 sq.
ft. set-aside for the Burial Ground, a museum/institute for slavery studies, genealogy center, public parkways and gardens,
memorial site, and elaborate signage throughout. VCU's new president, Dr. Michael Rao, takes seat in July. Black August Planning
Committee and Happily Natural Day coordinators include tours of Trail of Enslaved Africans and Gabriel's Rebellion for 3rd
consecutive year. 54 participants are from Georgia, DC, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Poet and interior designer
win InLight International Exhibition Best in Show for light-art installation titled For Gabriel in downtown Richmond.
7th annual commemoration on Oct. 10 includes preview of new documentary, Meet Me in the Bottom: The Struggle to Reclaim
Richmond's African Burial Ground, produced and directed by Dr. Shawn Utsey, chair, Dept. of African American Studies
at VCU. Afrikana, VCU student organization, launches on-campus campaign to support reclaiming the Burial Ground from within;
seeks meeting with Dr. Rao. Virginia Friends of Mali and Richmond Sister City Commission gain Sister City status for Segou
MALI and Richmond on Oct. 13; Mayor of Segou's remarks include desire to be involved with Burial Ground and Slave Trail.
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