9.22.2026 African Burying Grounds Preservation Committee

The City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire's African Burial Ground Preservation Committee met on September 22, 2026, to discuss several procurement and preservation-related matters. Key procurement discussions included approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to transfer care of burial remains to the Black Heritage Trail, with a framework for chain of custody and preservation conditions. The committee approved motions to designate the Black Heritage Trail to oversee the design and creation of a memorial vessel for the remains, with the vessel to be presented to the city council for formal acceptance as a donation. Additionally, the committee recommended releasing funds to procure an energy-efficient freezer, estimated under $500, for storing pulverized remains requiring freezing, with plans to finalize purchase details with city management. They also discussed contingency plans for power outages, including backup storage options and notification systems. Updates on the 1035 Lafayette Road housing project confirmed that archaeological protections remain in place near burial sites. The committee also addressed ongoing maintenance and future repair needs for the burial ground site, including tile reset work requiring future funding. No new contracts or vendor selections were finalized, but the meeting set clear action items for procurement approvals and preservation logistics.