1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Public Oversight Meeting May Update

5/23/2021

1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Public Oversight Meeting May Update

(Tulsa, OK) – The Public Oversight Committee for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Investigation virtually met this evening to listen to Tulsa attorney and former Tulsa County Presiding District Judge William Kellough regarding criminal justice issues surrounding the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The fully recorded meeting will be available on the 1921 Graves Facebook tomorrow.

In March, the 1921 Graves Public Oversight Committee recommended that a full excavation and analysis of the Original 18 site at Oaklawn Cemetery proceed this summer, with Oaklawn Cemetery as a temporary re-internment site for any identified remains. The City of Tulsa will move forward with the excavation on June 1, 2021. The City will share guidelines and information regarding the planned excavation by next week.

Due to the size of the grave shaft and anticipated number of burials, experts expect the excavation could take weeks or even months depending on the needs in the field. Additionally, the City has hired a Funeral Director and will fund additional archaeological services for this summer’s excavation.

The Public Oversight Committee will reconvene following the excavation.