Celebrate Pinkster with African Burial Ground National Monument

Pinkster was a religious holiday celebrated throughout the Colonial period that was also associated with the coming of spring. Its name is derived from the Dutch word "Pinksteren" which means Pentecost or the Seventh Sunday after Easter.

Pinkster was not well observed for most of the 20th Century, but since resuming Pinkster celebrations the 1970s, New Yorkers have held Pinkster festivals in New York and the surrounding areas.Today, Pinkster is recognized as the oldest African-American holiday of the original 13 colonies that became the United States of America. The African influence on Pinkster dates from the 15th Century in the Bantu regions of Congo and Angola.

African Burial Ground National Monument and the African American Pinkster Committee of New York (AAPCNY) will hold a commemorative celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2014. The celebration, which will take place at the site's outdoor memorial, will feature the pouring of libations, lectures, songs, performances, reading of proclamations, and the laying of flowers on the burial mounds. Additionally, artist Andrew Markus Bell will display his work in the visitor center.

About African Burial Ground National Monument

The African Burial Ground is recognized as the oldest and largest known African cemetery excavated in North America. It extends for 6.6 acres, and it is estimated that approximately 15,000 enslaved and free Africans are buried within its boundaries. On February 27, 2006, the African Burial Ground was designated a National Monument by Presidential Proclamation, making it the 390th national park site to be managed by the National Park Service, an agency of the United States Department of the Interior.

The African Burial Ground National Monument is located on the first floor of the Ted Weiss Federal Building located at 290 Broadway in Lower Manhattan; close to Foley Square and just north of City Hall. The cross streets are Duane Street and Reade Street. The national park site consists of an indoor visitor center and exhibition along with an outdoor memorial. The visitor center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The outdoor memorial is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Both the indoor visitor center and outdoor memorial are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

The African Burial Ground National Monument is accessible by public transportation. Driving and parking in New York City is significantly more difficult. If you are driving on the east side of Manhattan- leave Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Drive at the City Hall exit. Proceed west to Broadway. If you are on the west side of Manhattan-leave the West Side Highway/West Street at Chambers Street. Drive east on surface streets until you reach Broadway. The African Burial Ground National Monument is located just north of City Hall at 290 Broadway.