Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial in Annapolis commemorates the place of arrival of esteemed author Alex Haley’s ancestor, Kunta Kinte. The memorial includes plaques that line the sidewalks for visitors to interact with and stands as the only memorial in the United States that commemorates the point of arrival of an enslaved African. The memorial was commissioned by the mayor of Annapolis, Richard Hillman in 1981. This occurred shortly after Haley’s critically acclaimed novel, Roots opened the eyes of people around the world to the role the city of Annapolis played in the story of the slave trade.
Images
Statue of Alex Haley and Three Eager Listeners
One of the Many Plaques on Display
Roots by ALex Haley-Click the link below for more information about the book
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial includes a life-size bronze statue of Alex Haley reading his novel to three young listeners. All around him a various plaques that honor his ancestor, Kunta Kinte. The memorial was designed by Ed Dwight, a noted historian and sculptor who has constructed a number of fine art sculptures and large-scale memorials. The complex that holds the memorial was designed by an architect named Gary Schwerzler. Schwerzler incorporated stone walls and other components that take advantage of the Chesapeake Bay which stands just behind the memorial. The end result is a land and water combination and lighting that illuminates the memorial at night. It all makes for an intimate and truly unique experience.
The memorial has been remarked for its historical as well as its artistic significance. It’s historical importance cannot be understated because while it stands as a monument to Kunta Kinte and the odds he overcame, it tells the story of all slaves like him. This fact isn’t lost on the creators of the memorial who have included information kiosks in addition to the numerous plaques to provide visitors and passersby with a few facts on the history of slavery.
The struggle to erect the memorial is a remarkable one. Shortly after it was dedicated in the winter of 1981, the plaque was stolen, allegedly by the Klu Klux Clan. The series of events that followed made international headlines and although the original was never recovered, donations poured in from all over the nation to fund a new memorial. It wasn’t until 2002, however, that the current Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial was presented. It stands as a fitting tribute to the struggles of Kunta Kinte and slaves like him who were uprooted from their homes and brought to the New World in chains. The memorial is one of the most visited destinations in the city of Annapolis drawing in an estimated one million visitors annually.
The memorial has been remarked for its historical as well as its artistic significance. It’s historical importance cannot be understated because while it stands as a monument to Kunta Kinte and the odds he overcame, it tells the story of all slaves like him. This fact isn’t lost on the creators of the memorial who have included information kiosks in addition to the numerous plaques to provide visitors and passersby with a few facts on the history of slavery.
The struggle to erect the memorial is a remarkable one. Shortly after it was dedicated in the winter of 1981, the plaque was stolen, allegedly by the Klu Klux Clan. The series of events that followed made international headlines and although the original was never recovered, donations poured in from all over the nation to fund a new memorial. It wasn’t until 2002, however, that the current Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial was presented. It stands as a fitting tribute to the struggles of Kunta Kinte and slaves like him who were uprooted from their homes and brought to the New World in chains. The memorial is one of the most visited destinations in the city of Annapolis drawing in an estimated one million visitors annually.
Sources
"Attractions," Visit Maryland, accessed December 4, 2014, http://visitmaryland.org/Pages/MDAttraction.aspx?attractionid=4651
"Kunta Kinte Memorial" Alex Haley Foundation, accessed December 4, 2014, http://www.kuntakinte.com/memorial.html