Dems to Donate Funds for African Burying Ground

The Portsmouth Democratic Committee will hold a reception for the African Burying Ground Memorial Committee next week at the Portsmouth Public Library and where they will also make a donation toward the $1.2 million project.

According to Larry Drake, chairman of the Portsmouth Democratic Committee, the reception will be held on Thursday, March 15, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the Hilton Garden Room of the Portsmouth Public Library. 

Drake said the city Democrats will officially make a donation of over $5,500 to the capital campaign for the African Burying Ground Memorial.

The Portsmouth African Burying Ground site is one of only a few sites nationally that have been historically verified. The nearest similar site is the National Park Service site in New York City. 

Over a dozen local Democrats made individual donations as part of an awareness campaign of the Portsmouth Democrats. Just recently, the at the site of the burying ground on Chestnut Street on Feb. 13 following the group's concert at the Music Hall.

More than 200 African slaves were buried on this site in unmarked graves more than 200 years ago. Currently, funds continue to be raised to create a $1.2 million African Burying Ground Memorial Park.

“We hope that this effort will encourage other local community groups to join the effort to help realize this unique memorial, which recognizes the history of Africans in our community,” said Peter Somssich, former chair of the Portsmouth Democratic Committee, who led the fundraising effort. 

The public is cordially invited to attend the reception. Light refreshments will be served.