On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, South Carolina, held a ceremony to honor and reconsecrate a burial ground containing the graves of at least 481 individuals of African descent. Archaeologists and museum officials have identified this five-acre site as one of the largest burial grounds for enslaved people in the Carolina Piedmont.
The event brought together descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers who once lived on the plantation. Attendees joined in song and applause, paying tribute to those interred in the forested cemetery.
In 2022, the Culture and Heritage Museums secured a grant of about $40,000 to study and preserve what is now designated as the “Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground.” This funding facilitated the placement of steel markers at each identified grave, ensuring that those buried are appropriately commemorated. The Historic Brattonsville site offers insights into 18th- and 19th-century Southern life, emphasizing the experiences of both the enslaved and the enslavers.
The museum plans to host a grand opening of the cemetery to the public next month, providing an opportunity for broader community engagement and education. This initiative reflects a growing movement among historic sites in the South to acknowledge and honor the lives and contributions of enslaved individuals, ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations.
