corona-construction-graves

The Saint Marks A.M.E. Church in Jackson Heights hopes to save a freed slave burial ground uncovered during construction on a Corona Avenue condo/commercial development. The Daily News reports that the church is meeting with site owners today to try and preserve the site, founded in 1828. The site is believed to be one of the first places where former slaves organized and started their own church. An archeologist already uncovered 15 bodies, there’s now a Partial Stop Work Order on the site for further investigation to take place. According to the LPC, the developers are not required to remove the bones if the cemetery isn’t a crime scene.

Freed Slave Burial Ground Found in Elmhurst at Site of Future Condo [NY Daily News]
Construction Halted on Corona Avenue After Developers Uncover Graves [Q’Stoner]


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