African Burial Ground National Monument in New York, USA - map and visitor information

African Burial Ground National Monument in Lower Manhattan honors free and enslaved Africans whose lives helped shape colonial New York. The visit combines an indoor museum at 290 Broadway with an outdoor memorial nearby. Plan time for both, including security screening at the federal building.

Highlights of the memorial and museum

• Visit the outdoor memorial as a place of remembrance.
• Explore exhibits about African lives, enslavement, and the growth of colonial New York.
• Learn how the burial ground’s rediscovery led to research, community action, and reinterment.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Allow time for airport-style security at 290 Broadway. Screening may include photo identification and shoe removal. Bring only what you need: the compendium limits personal items to 22 × 14 × 9 inches, including wheels and handles, and staff cannot store belongings.

Visit responsibly

Treat the memorial and burial area with care. Use designated entrances, follow staff directions, and leave cultural resources undisturbed. Do not eat, drink, or smoke within the site. Pets are not allowed; service animals are welcome. Carry out your trash.

Reservations and permits

Independent visits do not require a ranger-led tour. For a guided visit, use the official tour booking page. NPS asks groups requesting tours to arrange them at least two weeks ahead; the provider lists tickets up to three months ahead. Contact the site about special events, filming, or lobby artwork photography because requirements depend on the activity.

Location and entrances in Lower Manhattan

Use the NPS directions to distinguish the visitor center at 290 Broadway, between Duane and Reade Streets, from the memorial at Duane Street and African Burial Ground Way, formerly Elk Street. NPS recommends public transportation because parking is difficult. Nearby subway stops include Chambers Street and City Hall. The 26 Wall Street mailing address is not the museum entrance.

Nearby parks

• Federal Hall National Memorial is another Lower Manhattan stop at 26 Wall Street. Walk or use transit; vehicle access immediately outside is restricted.
• Castle Clinton National Monument is in Battery Park. Reach the monument on foot, by bicycle, or by wheelchair after arriving near the park; cars cannot drive directly to it.

Exhibits, remembrance, and guided interpretation

• Explore the museum: Follow the exhibits independently and watch the 20-minute park film.
• Visit the memorial: Leave time for quiet reflection rather than treating the burial area as a recreation ground.
• Join a tour: Program content varies by season. The booking page describes fall and winter art tours and spring and summer memorial tours; confirm the selected offering.

Facilities and accessibility

The visitor center has restrooms, water fountains, exhibits, a film, and a bookstore. The outdoor memorial has no restroom or drinking-water supply. NPS describes both components as accessible, with a ramp alternative to memorial stairs and wheelchairs available on request. Check accessibility services for your needs; on-site accessible parking is not provided.

About this national monument

History

The cemetery was used from the mid-1630s until 1795. Its rediscovery during federal office construction in 1991 prompted archaeological research and renewed attention to African lives in colonial New York. The descendant community’s involvement helped shape reinterment and public remembrance. The site became a National Historic Landmark in 1993.

Contact

Call 212-238-4373 for visit planning. For accessibility requests, the dedicated NPS page also lists 212-238-4367. Visit the museum at 290 Broadway, New York, rather than its Federal Hall mailing address.