City officials and local partners are inviting the public to weigh in on plans for a permanent memorial at the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, where an estimated 22,000 free and enslaved African Americans were laid to rest.

A community event will be held Saturday, July 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay St. The gathering will unveil preliminary design concepts and offer residents a chance to share input on how best to honor those buried at the site.

“This is a vital step The Shockoe Project and the City of Richmond are taking toward honoring and reclaiming this sacred ground,” said Leo Mantey, manager of The Shockoe Project. “Community voices are essential in shaping a memorial that truly reflects the dignity and legacy of those buried here.”

The memorial planning effort is a collaboration between the city, The Shockoe Project, and design teams from Baskervill and Waterstreet Studio.

Established in 1816 to replace the original burial ground in Shockoe Valley, the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground became one of the largest of its kind in the country. The cemetery, was located near the city’s former poorhouse. Over time, the site was neglected and faded from public memory.

The upcoming event is part of a community-centered design process aimed at restoring awareness of the site’s significance and ensuring that its legacy is properly commemorated, according to a press release.

Attendees will hear remarks from a descendant of those buried at the site, view early design concepts and have the opportunity to offer feedback to help guide the memorial’s final form. Information about the site’s history and the next steps in the process will also be shared.