C. Forbes, Inc. is proud to provide custom lapel pins for the African Burial Ground National Monument, a sacred space located in Manhattan, N.Y. The lapel pins, or “badges” as they are often referred to, are primarily presented to students and members of other youth groups upon completion of specific Junior Park Ranger activities. The participants take an oath and are awarded the “Junior Ranger Badge.” In addition, the badges have been presented to visiting dignitaries and distinguished guests during special events held at the Monument.
As part of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, the African Burial Monument origins date back to the 1690’s, where until 1794, both free and enslaved Africans were buried in a 6.6 acre burial ground in Lower Manhattan. The burial ground was outside the boundaries of the settlement of New Amsterdam, later known as New York. Due to landfill and development, the grounds were covered until rediscovery in 1991 as a consequence of the planned construction of a Federal office building. Designated as a National Monument on February 27, 2006 by Presidential Proclamation, the monument officially opened in 2003. C. Forbes, Inc. also created custom commemorative lapel pins recognizing the 10 year anniversary of the Monument in 2013.
The African Burial Ground Monument is one of nearly 400 National Parks across the country and one of 22 destinations in 10 parks that comprise the National Parks of New York Harbor. The Monument’s Park Ranger, Sean Ghazala, indicates over 90,000 visitors per year visit the site where complimentary tours are led by park rangers. He encourages others to participate in the educational offerings at the Monument. For more information about our products and services, please contact us.