1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Update – March 22

3/22/2021

The Public Oversight Committee for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Investigation will meet virtually Tues., March 23 at 5 p.m. The Public Oversight Committee will further discuss the re-interment plan at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Physical Investigation Committee’s re-interment proposal, which was presented at the Public Oversight Committee’s January meeting, is posted online.

Citizens can attend the virtual meeting at: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/237456309 . The access code is 237-456-309.

During the excavation this summer, at least 12 coffins holding human remains were discovered where anomalies were previously detected. It is still to be determined whether the burials are associated with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, as further efforts to determine the identities of those remains and their causes of death continue to be explored.

The area where remains were found has been previously referenced as the Original 18 site, located adjacent to two 1921 race massacre headstones in the historical African American section of the Potters Field. Funeral home records and other documents for 1921 show that at least 18 identified and unidentified African American massacre victims were buried in the City-owned cemetery. 

1921 Graves Search Background

For the most up-to-date information on the search for possible graves dating to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/1921graves and follow 1921 Graves on Facebook, @1921Graves. A public shared drive, including pictures, video and drone footage, from the test excavations at Oaklawn Cemetery can be found on the 1921 Graves website. No courtesy is needed when using images and videos from that drive.