Historic burial site confirmed beneath Whitefield Square; New committee formed to protect it

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A burial ground that served free and enslaved people of color for over 80 years has been officially confirmed beneath Whitefield Square.

At a city council meeting this week, officials unanimously approved an advisory committee tasked with properly commemorating and caring for the site.

A History Long Known But Never Officially Recognized

On February 20th, archeologist Daniel Elliot of the LAMAR Institute confirmed what many Savannah residents have long known: a burial site operated underneath Whitefield Square from 1763 to 1844.

“2 or 3 early historic maps show it being in this square partially. It covers more than just Whitefield square,” said Elliot.

For many who have lived and grown up in Savannah, this was not a new discovery but rather an official validation of oral history that had been dismissed by some as folklore.

“For many local people, we knew of this history but as the mayor said it was considered by some as folklore,” said Bernetta Lanier, District 1 Alderwoman. “Now we have confirmation.”

A Dark Chapter in Savannah’s Past

The significance of this discovery is tempered by the circumstances surrounding it. In 1855, the city made a decision that would desecrate the sacred ground: officials disinterred an unknown number of graves and disposed of them elsewhere, according to Luciana Sprecher, Director of the Savannah Municipal Archives.

“Their ancestors were not treated well. And to get that respect hundreds of years later, that still means something,” Sprecher said.

A Committee Focused on Proper Representation

At Thursday’s city council meeting, officials established an advisory committee to oversee the site’s future. The group will be responsible for commissioning a new historical marker and making critical decisions about the space’s identity, including reconsidering its former name: “The Negro Burial Ground.”

Sprecher, who has been named board chair, emphasized that these decisions should not rest solely in her hands, despite her deep knowledge of Savannah’s history.

“I cannot make the decision on how best to represent this history and memorialize this history. I do not represent them,” Sprecher said. “I love them and I know a lot about the history of Savannah but it’s still not my story.”

The committee will include historians specializing in African American and Gullah Geechee culture, ensuring that those whose ancestors are buried beneath the square have a voice in how their memory is honored.

The announcement drew an emotional response from city officials, particularly District 5 Alderwoman Dr. Estella Shabazz.

“With this particular situation, I want to thank you so much because our story has always been a silent story,” she said. “So when our tourists now come to Savannah, they can see all of Savannah, all of the stories of all of Savannah. That’s what matters.”

Mayor Van Johnson says that this discovery is huge, and deserves a passionate group working on it.