Twin Memorials
Emory University is committed to honoring and memorializing the untold experiences, stories, and contributions of enslaved individuals and their descendants who lived and worked on the university’s original campus in Oxford, Georgia.
At the request of Emory President Gregory L. Fenves and following years of work by descendants, community leaders, and members of the Emory community, the university’s Twin Memorials Working Group recommended a plan for memorials that will articulate and interconnect the shared histories of the Atlanta and Oxford campuses in a meaningful and impactful way.
Project Timeline
Fall 2020
The Task Force on Untold Stories and Disenfranchised Populations was reappointed to develop recommendations to honor enslaved persons who contributed to the construction of Emory College.
Spring 2021
In their final report, the Task Force on Untold Stories and Disenfranchised Populations advised that “twin” memorials be constructed on the Oxford and Atlanta campuses.
Fall 2021
The Twin Memorials Working Group was established and charged with engaging the community to develop plans for “twin” memorials.
Spring 2022
Design firm Baskervill was hired to lead the first phase of public engagement. Listening sessions were held on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses, as well as off-campus, with descendants in the Oxford and Atlanta communities.
Community Engagement
- Twenty-six listening sessions were held in Atlanta and Oxford.
- More than 225 descendants, students, faculty, administrators, staff, alumni, and community partners shared their thoughts, ideas, and impressions about the memorials.
Fall 2022
The community was invited to review design concepts developed from the input collected from the first phase.
Request for Proposals
A request for proposals (RFP) has been released to identify an architect and relevant artists to bring the Twin Memorials to fruition. Once a design team is selected, the design phase of the memorials will continue with ongoing engagement from descendants, students, faculty, staff, and community members.
