TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Two articles pointing to slaves buried at Capital City Country Club brought Delaitre Hollinger to the Tallahassee City Commission.
Now, Hollinger is overjoyed that archaeologists have found what he believed to be there for a while.
Hollinger says he is happy he has a part in uncovering Tallahassee’s rich history and he’s looking forward to honoring those that rest on this property.
Archaeologists are confident that forty graves were found on the golf course near hole 7. The search for those graves started after Hollinger asked the city commission to do some digging.
He began his research following a call into a radio show where he was a guest. The caller asked about a rumor he'd heard about a cemetery at the country club.
”I can kind of feel the spirit of those ancestors there already,” said Hollinger, the executive Director of the National Association for the preservation of African-American History and Culture.
That's how Hollinger describes his emotions when walking on the grounds of the Capital City Country Club. He says this speaks to the history of African Americans in Tallahassee
”The history of the African American... it’s beautiful history and it’s also a complicated history and for us to know that we have discovered yet another burial ground for our people," Hollinger explained. "I think it’s momentous.”
Now, he says the community should honor those whose names are not known. Archaeologists and historians will go before the city commission and the city will then decide where to go from there.
“Now that we’ve brought finality to the question it’s time to give these persons their proper due,” said Hollinger.
In a statement the country club says:
"Our hope will be to memorialize the area in an appropriate and attractive way so that our members, guests, customers and neighbors can all better understand the history of this important place."
Dr. Madyun, a professor at FAMU, says unmarked graves in heavy agricultural areas like Florida and Georgia are not uncommon. He recommends an easement or restriction to protect that area.
