Blitz Posted January 31, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 31, 2016 "The discovery of 140 bones by archaeologists digging within the decommissioned depot was announced last week by Melissa Mark-Viverito, the City Council speaker, and the Rev. Patricia A. Singletary, pastor of the Elmendorf Reformed Church on East 121st Street, the successor to the Harlem Reformed Dutch Church of 1660..." http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/nyregion/discovery-of-burial-ground-backs-a-less-conventional-version-of-harlems-history.html?referer= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAlam Posted February 1, 2016 Share #2 Posted February 1, 2016 isn't that why it was decommissioned in the first place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewFlyer 230 Posted February 1, 2016 Share #3 Posted February 1, 2016 I can imagine all the hidden gems we can uncover from around the city. And 126th street was sitting right on top of a burial ground Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted February 1, 2016 Share #4 Posted February 1, 2016 I just wonder what the span of this burial site is and if it's bigger than expected, what will happen then? In other words, it could be go beyond the grounds of 126th street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xentor Posted February 1, 2016 Share #5 Posted February 1, 2016 There are bones underneath just about everywhere we walk on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted February 1, 2016 Share #6 Posted February 1, 2016 There are bones underneath just about everywhere we walk on. That's my point... Seems like a much to-do over nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B46 via Utica Posted February 1, 2016 Share #7 Posted February 1, 2016 That's creepy I can't believe that they can shut down a whole depot just because of a burial site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted February 1, 2016 Share #8 Posted February 1, 2016 This isn't just a random burial site or typical graveyard...there is a unique history and relationship to slavery, which is a deep part of American history. I'm not surprised this is being take differently than when more typical burial sites are uncovered during construction. It speaks to the value we place upon elements of history tied to slavery and African American heritage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted February 1, 2016 Share #9 Posted February 1, 2016 This isn't just a random burial site or typical graveyard...there is a unique history and relationship to slavery, which is a deep part of American history. I'm not surprised this is being take differently than when more typical burial sites are uncovered during construction. It speaks to the value we place upon elements of history tied to slavery and African American heritage I get all of that but my question still is what if this burial site spans further than just that depot? Are they going to kick people out of their homes because of it? I mean this seems rather over the top. The other question is what happens to that site? Do they demolish the depot? We both know that land is at a premium in Manhattan, and I would argue that the depot should remain there. It's not near any residences to speak of and that's a good thing considering the high asthma rates of residential areas that have depots in some parts of the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted February 2, 2016 Share #10 Posted February 2, 2016 I get all of that but my question still is what if this burial site spans further than just that depot? Are they going to kick people out of their homes because of it? I mean this seems rather over the top. The other question is what happens to that site? Do they demolish the depot? We both know that land is at a premium in Manhattan, and I would argue that the depot should remain there. It's not near any residences to speak of and that's a good thing considering the high asthma rates of residential areas that have depots in some parts of the city. It's mostly a historical preservation thing, for posterity. No one actively seeks things like this, but when stuff like this turns up it's good to preserve a record for the future. They'd do the same thing in London or Rome or any other place with lots of old burial sites (and in fact, they found Henry III like this when they demolished a parking garage.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted February 2, 2016 Share #11 Posted February 2, 2016 I get all of that but my question still is what if this burial site spans further than just that depot? Are they going to kick people out of their homes because of it? I mean this seems rather over the top. The other question is what happens to that site? Do they demolish the depot? We both know that land is at a premium in Manhattan, and I would argue that the depot should remain there. It's not near any residences to speak of and that's a good thing considering the high asthma rates of residential areas that have depots in some parts of the city. I suspect they will erect a memorial of some sort, keep some small portion permanently blocked off, and ultimately use the site again, unless Tatum the whole site in a museum or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fresh Pond Posted February 2, 2016 Share #12 Posted February 2, 2016 I get all of that but my question still is what if this burial site spans further than just that depot? Are they going to kick people out of their homes because of it? I mean this seems rather over the top. The other question is what happens to that site? Do they demolish the depot? We both know that land is at a premium in Manhattan, and I would argue that the depot should remain there. It's not near any residences to speak of and that's a good thing considering the high asthma rates of residential areas that have depots in some parts of the city. Supposedly the entire depot will eventually be torn down, dunno when. And there's buildings right on the other side of the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted February 2, 2016 Supposedly the entire depot will eventually be torn down, dunno when. And there's buildings right on the other side of the street.I'm almost certain that high dollar condominiums will be built on that site, with maybe a memorial bench or plaque in front of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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