The bill would establish the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the site of the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. It authorizes acquisition of property (at 22 Reade Street or another expansion site nearby) and directs design, construction, and operation of the Museum as a unit within the National Park System.
The Secretary would lead development with the Advisory Council and a local-private partnership framework to fund, manage, and program the Museum, and it would connect with the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to advance collaboration and exhibitions. It also authorizes initial and ongoing appropriations to support construction, operation, and programs, including private fundraising and community outreach.
At a Glance
What It Does
Establishes a Memorial Museum within the National Monument in NYC, with authority to acquire property (including 22 Reade Street or expansion property) and to plan, design, and build the Museum. The act assigns management to the Interior Secretary and authorizes a 2/3 federal cost share for acquisition and construction, plus ongoing operating authority.
Who It Affects
Federal agencies (Interior and NPS), the City and State of New York, the Smithsonian Institution, the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, and private donors supporting fundraising and programs.
Why It Matters
It elevates the African Burial Ground to a national memorial institution, linking education about slavery to a major urban site, leveraging federal partnerships with local government, the Smithsonian, and private funders to promote public history and heritage preservation.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act would create a formal Museum at the site of the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, would acquire the necessary property (preferably at 22 Reade Street or an adjacent expansion site) and plan, design, and construct the Museum as part of the National Monument.
A new African Burial Ground Advisory Council would help guide planning, design, and ongoing operations, with a commitment to include local and national voices in governance. The plan envisions collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop joint programs, exhibitions, and educational efforts, including advanced digital experiences.
The act also provides for the Museum’s operation, maintenance, and growth, and authorizes federal appropriations to cover initial costs, with a two-thirds federal share for acquisition and construction and a remaining one-third to be raised from non-federal sources, potentially aided by private fundraising efforts. Recurring funds may be used for exhibits, education, training, and visitor services, and for sustaining the facility over time.
The bill notes the site’s national significance and its potential to educate the public about the history of slavery in the United States while supporting related cultural and educational activities in collaboration with partner institutions.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The Secretary must acquire Museum property at 22 Reade Street or an expansion site and plan the Museum’s construction.
The federal government will cover two-thirds of total acquisition and construction costs; the rest can come from non-federal sources.
An African Burial Ground Advisory Council is created to advise on planning, design, and operation, with a defined multi-year appointment process.
The Museum will be associated with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with governance determined in consultation with the Smithsonian and the Advisory Council.
Initial funding of $15 million is authorized for fiscal year 2025, with ongoing appropriations and permission to use private funds for program development and sustainability.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Findings
The bill catalogs the significance of the African Burial Ground, its historical context, and the rationale for creating a national memorial museum at the site. It frames the project as a partnership among federal, state, and city governments and private entities, and it emphasizes the cultural and educational value of preserving and interpreting the enslaved Africans’ history in America.
Definitions
Key terms are defined to establish the scope of the project: Administrator (GSA), Advisory Council, Museum, National Monument, Secretary (Interior), and Expansion Property. These definitions set the governance and property boundaries for the project and clarify which entities have authority at different stages.
Establishment of Museum
This section establishes the Museum within the National Monument and sets forth its purposes: memorializing the enslaved and African Americans, examining cultural traditions, exploring slavery, hosting exhibits and collections, and fostering collaboration with other museums and educational institutions.
Site Acquisition and Development
The Secretary, with the Administrator and other stakeholders, must acquire suitable property (the 22 Reade Street site or an expansion property) and plan, design, construct, or renovate the Museum. The federal government covers two-thirds of costs, and the Secretary can enter into agreements with the City, State, and private partners to secure the necessary property and support the project’s development.
Operation of the Museum
The Secretary, after consultation with the Advisory Council and the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, will operate the Museum and manage its collections, exhibitions, and programs. It authorizes acquisition, lending, disposal under specific policies, and use of funds for programming, preservation, and outreach in line with National Park System laws.
Advisory Council
An African Burial Ground Advisory Council is established with a broad membership, including federal and local officials and 14 appointed members. The Council advises on planning, design, operation, public input, and bylaws, and it helps ensure diverse perspectives in stewarding the site.
Director and Staff
The Secretary appoints a Museum Director, who manages operations with input from the Advisory Council. The Secretary may appoint staff to assist, with compensation and hiring provisions designed to streamline administrative duties and specialized museum work.
Authorization of Appropriations
The bill authorizes $15 million for FY2025 for the Museum and related activities, with additional necessary sums in later years for ongoing operations and for Section 5 site acquisition. Funds are available without fiscal year limitations and can be used for private fundraising, curriculum development, visitor services, digital exhibits, and long-term sustainability.
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Explore Culture in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Visitors and researchers gain access to curated exhibits, artifacts, and educational programming that illuminate enslaved Africans’ histories and cultural legacies.
- The City of New York and the surrounding community benefit from enhanced cultural capital, tourism, and neighborhood revitalization associated with a major memorial site.
- The National Park Service gains a larger, mission-aligned project that intersects with its existing portfolio of national monuments and museums in New York.
- The Smithsonian Institution benefits from a formal partnership framework and potential collaborations with the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- The African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation and related organizations gain a structured conduit for fundraising, program development, and public engagement.
Who Bears the Cost
- Federal taxpayers fund two-thirds of the total acquisition and construction costs under the authorization.
- Private and other non-federal sources must cover the remaining one-third, including private fundraising and donor contributions as contemplated by the bill.
- State and local governments may incur coordination and land-use-related costs through partnerships and potential property contributions as part of the acquisition and development process.
- Construction contractors, professional service providers, and facility operations will bear costs associated with building, maintaining, and equipping the Museum.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
How to balance Federal stewardship and local control with private fundraising, ensuring sustainable operations while honoring the site’s cultural and historical significance, without compromising community access or governance.
The bill creates a substantial federal role in establishing a national memorial within a major urban area, which requires intensive coordination among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private partners. While private fundraising is encouraged, sustainable funding remains a question as long-term operating costs must be covered beyond initial appropriations.
There are potential tensions between national governance and local interests, especially given the expansion property and management of a site that sits at the intersection of heritage, education, and civic identity. The DNA-related findings cited in the findings section, while historical context, raise questions about data governance and ethical use of biological information in a memorial setting.
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