Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of establishing the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City.
Dan Goldman
Representative
NY-10
This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The study will assess the museum's potential to serve as a memorial, examine African cultural traditions, explore the institution of slavery, and promote collaboration among institutions. It will also evaluate the availability of suitable collections, the potential for understanding the international slave trade, and the level of public and local support for the museum. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the study's findings, including costs and recommendations, within three years of funding availability.
Feds to Study New Museum at NYC's African Burial Ground: 3-Year Timeline for Report
The African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior, basically the head honcho of the National Park Service, to figure out if it's practical to build a new museum at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City (SEC. 3). This isn't about breaking ground tomorrow – it's about doing the homework first. The study has to be completed and the findings delivered to the Senate and House Committees within three years after the funding is secured (SEC. 3).
Digging into the Details
This study is all about checking the boxes to see if a museum dedicated to the African Burial Ground is a good idea, and what it would actually involve. They're looking at whether the museum could serve as a proper memorial to those buried there, and enslaved Africans more broadly. It's also about exploring African cultural traditions brought to the U.S., and, importantly, taking a hard look at the institution of slavery itself (SEC. 3).
They'll be checking if there are even enough relevant artifacts and collections to fill a museum. Think: objects representing African traditions, items worthy of preservation, and even DNA samples that could help trace folks' roots back to Africa (SEC. 3). They also need to determine if this museum can offer something unique compared to what's already out there.
Real-World Radar
This isn't just about dusty relics. The study needs to consider whether the museum can actually help people understand the impact of the international slave trade and how slavery played out in different places (SEC. 3). It's about connecting the past to the present in a meaningful way.
They're also checking for local support – does the community even want this museum? Is there a solid financial plan? Who's going to run it – the Secretary of the Interior, or someone else? And is the proposed location at 22 Reade Street, or another spot within the National Monument, the right place? (SEC. 3). These are all practical questions that need answers before anyone starts laying bricks.
Laying the Foundation (For a Study)
Ultimately, this bill is setting the stage for a potential museum. It's about making sure that if it happens, it's done right. This means figuring out the costs – acquiring property, building, operating, and maintaining the museum – and making recommendations based on solid research (SEC. 3). It's a long game, focused on making sure any future museum is both meaningful and sustainable.