1921 Graves Public Oversight Committee to Meet on Dec. 16

12/10/2019

The Public Oversight Committee for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Investigation will meet on Monday, Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m. at Carver Middle School, 624 E. Oklahoma Pl., to receive results from the geophysical and scanning of Oaklawn Cemetery and Newblock Park for the potential of graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

In October, the Oklahoma Archeological Survey based at the University of Oklahoma, completed their work at two of the three sites that were originally identified for initial scanning based on data and historian reports from the 2001 State Commissioned Report of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The City of Tulsa is in discussion with the property owner of the remaining site.

During the December meeting, geophysical experts will provide their analysis from the field work conducted at Oaklawn Cemetery and Newblock Park and discuss potential next steps for the investigation. Following the presentation, the Committee will determine if sufficient information is available to move into the next phase of the investigation, which could include additional field work or an excavation. The Committee will reconvene in February to further develop next steps of the physical investigation.

Three goals were established around the 1921 graves reexamination, including: public oversight, historical context and the physical evidence investigation. For more information on the investigation process, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921graves 

All Public Oversight meetings are streamed live on the City of Tulsa Facebook account.