Experts link graves to one of nation's oldest Black churches
1 year, 9 months ago

Experts link graves to one of nation's oldest Black churches

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Three men whose graves were found at the original site of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches were members of its congregation in the early 19th century, a team of archaeologists and scientists in Virginia announced Thursday. The First Baptist Church was formed in 1776 by free and enslaved Black people in Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. “It either represents the conditions of an enslaved childhood or far less likely — but possibly — conditions for a free African American in childhood,” Blakey said. The museum plans to recreate First Baptist's original meeting house on the land where it once stood, said Gary, the museum’s director of archaeology.

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Experts link graves to one of nation’s oldest Black churches
1 year, 9 months ago

Experts link graves to one of nation’s oldest Black churches

Associated Press  

Three men whose graves were found at the original site of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches were members of its congregation in the early 19th century, a team of archaeologists and scientists in Virginia announced Thursday. The First Baptist Church was formed in 1776 by free and enslaved Black people in Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. The graves in …

Excavation of graves begins at site of Colonial-era Black church
2 years, 5 months ago

Excavation of graves begins at site of Colonial-era Black church

LA Times  

Archaeologists have begun a months-long effort to learn who was buried at one of the oldest Black churches in the U.S. and how they lived. Archaeologists in Virginia began excavating three suspected graves at the original site of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches Monday, kicking off a months-long effort to learn who was buried there and how they …

Excavation of graves begins at site of colonial Black church
2 years, 5 months ago

Excavation of graves begins at site of colonial Black church

Associated Press  

Archaeologists in Virginia began excavating three suspected graves at the original site of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches on Monday, commencing a monthslong effort to learn who was buried there and how they lived. “It was important for us to have that ceremony — to bless the ancestors,” said Connie Matthews Harshaw, a church member and board president …

Remnants of Black church uncovered in Colonial Williamsburg
3 years, 3 months ago

Remnants of Black church uncovered in Colonial Williamsburg

Associated Press  

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — The brick foundation of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches has been unearthed at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Virginia that continues to reckon with its past storytelling about the country’s origins and the role of Black Americans. First Baptist Pastor Reginald F. Davis, whose church now stands elsewhere in Williamsburg, said the uncovering …

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