Migration Memorials - immigration,

The Slave Memorial at Mount Vernon

ephmd920@unc.edu — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 05:13:43 +0000

Description:

The memorial consists of a gray granite column with the top cut off at an angle. The column is surrounded by three concentric brick circles, and a set of three steps, each featuring a one-word inscription: “Faith,” “Hope” and “Love," respectively.

The memorial marks the land used as a burial ground for enslaved and free blacks who worked at Mount Vernon during the 1700s and 1800s.

LocationMem:

Mount Vernon, Virginia

Institution:

Mount Vernon Ladies' Association

Official/Unofficial:

Unofficial

Group Acknowledged:

African-American Slaves

Freed African-Americans

Historical Subject:

The memorial honors the enslaved and freed African Americans who worked at Mount Vernon during the 1700s and 1800s by marking the land that was used as their collective cemetery. These graves were unmarked, and, until the memorial's dedication, the public paid little attention to this sacred burial ground.

Physical Aspects:

The memorial features a truncated granite column, with the following inscription: "In Memory of the Afro Americans Who Served As Slaves At Mount Vernon This Monument Marking Their Burial Ground . . ." The three steps leading up to the column read "Faith," "Hope," and "Love," respectively. Some greenery is interspersed between the steps, and a large circular floor made of bricks surrounds the memorial. There is a short wall for visitors to sit on.

Date of Dedication:

September 1983

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

immigration,

Boston Irish Famine Memorial

ephmd920@unc.edu — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:24:30 +0000

Description:

The monument consists of two contrasting sets of sculptures. One depicts an impoverished, gaunt family, and the other depicts a well-fed prosperous family. These statues, and the eight commemorative plaques that accompany them, seek to tell the story of the Potato Famine and Irish immigration to America.

LocationMem:

Boston Massachussets

Institution:

Boston Irish Famine Memorial Committee

Official/Unofficial:

Unofficial

Group Acknowledged:

Irish immigrants

Irish-Americans

Historical Subject:

The memorial tells the story of both those who suffered and starved in Ireland during the Potato Famine and those who left for America and found success in their new country. Some believe the monument is an offensive memorial to the Famine itself while others interpret the sculptures as a way of honoring the accomplishments of Irish-Americans.

Physical Aspects:

The monument consists of two sets of statues, one depicting a healthy, prosperous family and the other depicting a starving, sickly family. The sickly family wears ragged clothing, and an empty bowl sits beside them on the ground. The healthy family stands up straight, wearing relatively nice casual clothing, typical of members of the working middle class. The statues are enveloped by a memorial "park" that contains some greenery, eight commemorative plaques, and a small wall for visitors to sit on.

Date of Dedication:

June 1998

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

immigration,

Unsung Founders Memorial

ephmd920@unc.edu — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 16:41:41 +0000

Description:

The memorial consists of a black granite table supported by 300 miniature bronze figurines. 5 small seats of black stone surround the table.

LocationMem:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Institution:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Official/Unofficial:

Unofficial

Group Acknowledged:

People of Color "Bound and Free"

Slaves

African-Americans

Historical Subject:

The monument honors the people of color "bound and free" who helped build the university. Several of the buildings on campus were built by slaves who were forced to migrate to America, and the University continues to grapple with this history. This is best exemplified by controversies over removing Silent Sam and changing the names of on-campus locations named after white supremacists, like Kenan Stadium.

Physical Aspects:

The monument contains a black granite table held up by 300 small bronze human beings, surrounded by 5 black stone seats. An inscription on the table reads; "The Class Of 2002 Honors The University's Unsung Founders – The People Of Color Bound And Free – Who Helped Build The Carolina That We Cherish Today."

Date of Dedication:

2002

Place Location:

Files:

Themes:

immigration,