In 1983, the Slave Memorial was dedicated at Mount Vernon, at the spot where both free and enslaved people had been buried in unmarked graves. Just as there is at George Washington’s tomb, a daily wreath-laying presentation commemorates those who are buried nearby.

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association had placed a marker in 1929 to recognize those buried in the unidentified graves nearby, but it lay forgotten for many years. Its rediscovery in 1982 led to the creation of the modern memorial.

I am glad we had the opportunity to stop and pay our respects here.