May 18, 2018
931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy
Charlottesville, VA 22902
To whom it may concern,
This is an open letter voicing concern regarding the lack of representation, respect, and tribute to the 18th century African slaves at the Monticello Plantation. We are a group of research undergrad scholars from Lehman College in New York who are currently conducting research on archival and historical 19th century Victorian work. After a workshop to the Rare Books School, we stopped by the Monticello House in Charlottesville, Virginia to see a historical landmark which is not only critical to America’s national history but to also visit our first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To our dismay, we were surprised to discover the state of the African American graveyard site; not only was it situated by the parking lot where it could be easily missed, it was also clear that there was no sign of maintenance or proper care for the burial grounds. As a known site which is affiliated with its dark history of slavery and its connection to Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father, we expected a site which would at least pay proper tribute to the lost lives of the enslaved African Americans who worked on the plantation.
We ask that the site maintain proper attention and care in a location which would better memorialize the history of the in as the current location continues to propagate and minimize the significance and lives of the unidentified bodies which currently rest in the parking lot.
Respectfully,
CUNY Rare Book Scholars
Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY
250 Bedford Park Boulevard West
Bronx, New York 10468
