Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at the University of Virginia

The Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) acknowledges the work and individual lives of the enslaved African Americans who built the University of Virginia and sustained daily life from its founding.

The Memorial’s construction on the grounds of the University of Virginia marks a critical moment to address the complex history of the University of Virginia—and of the country. The Memorial to Enslaved Laborers responds to a deep need to address a previously unacknowledged history. By creating a physical place of honor to the enslaved, the Memorial is designed to be a place of healing but also a place of learning and an inspiration for action. The Memorial addresses numerous community perspectives on UVA grounds and across Charlottesville, but especially the descendants of African Americans who built, worked, and lived at the University.