City of Savannah Announces Findings of Ground Penetrating Radar Survey at Whitefield Square

SAVANNAH — The City of Savannah has received the final report from The LAMAR Institute following a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted at Whitefield Square in December 2025. The survey was undertaken in preparation for the installation of a historical marker recognizing the square as the site of a burial ground known historically as the “Negro Burial Ground,” which was in use from approximately 1763 to 1844.

Historical Background

Historical maps and records indicate that this burial ground served as the public cemetery for Savannah’s enslaved and free people of color from circa 1763 until 1844 and a portion overlapped what is now modern-day Whitefield Square.

In 1844, the burial ground was closed due to overcrowding, and a new burial ground was established south of Gaston Street near Abercorn Street. That second site was used until 1852, when 15 acres were dedicated within Laurel Grove Cemetery “for the interment of the remains of deceased persons of color.”

In 1855, Savannah City Council authorized the City Marshal to remove remains from the “Negro Burial Ground” to Laurel Grove Cemetery. However, historical records do not specify whether removals occurred from the burial ground overlapping Whitefield Square, the burial ground near Abercorn Street, or both locations.

GPR Survey Results

To better understand whether any burials remain within Whitefield Square, the City’s Municipal Archives engaged The LAMAR Institute to conduct a non-invasive GPR survey. Ground Penetrating Radar is an archaeological investigative technique that uses radar pulses to detect subsurface anomalies without disturbing the ground.

The final report, submitted in January 2026, confirmed what many community members have long believed, that it is unlikely all of the remains of this burial ground were relocated prior to the development of Whitefield Square in the 1850s.

The report identified:

• More than 80 potential burial anomalies within Whitefield Square
• Two probable burial clusters, where the exact number of potential graves could not be determined
• The majority of these anomalies are likely either intact human burials or empty burial shafts where remains were removed and relocated in the mid-19th century

The report notes that only extensive archaeological excavation could definitively determine whether these anomalies represent intact burials or previously relocated graves.

Recommended Next Steps

Given the findings, City Staff recommends that Whitefield Square will be treated similarly to Colonial Park Cemetery — as an inactive and historic burial ground that also serves as a passive greenspace.

To formally recognize Whitefield Square’s historic significance, it is recommended that the City move forward through its Historical Marker Program to erect an appropriate marker or memorial.

To ensure a thoughtful and inclusive process, it is recommended that the City convene an advisory group, facilitated by the Archives & History Officer, to prepare a recommendation for City Council.

These recommended next steps will be considered at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Additional Survey Planned for Taylor Square

The Park & Tree Department will also conduct a similar GPR survey in Taylor Square to confirm that the historic “Strangers Burial Ground” (also known as Potter’s Field), active from 1819–1844, did not extend into the area later developed as this square.

Due to the limitations of historic maps and records, the City is undertaking this proactive step to ensure future work in this square is informed and respectful of Savannah’s cultural resources. Funding for this survey has been identified through the Square & Monument Preservation fund (SQ0801).

Quotes From City Leadership

“This square is more than green space. It is sacred ground,” said Mayor Van R. Johnson II. “For generations, Savannah’s enslaved and free people of color were laid to rest here. Their lives mattered. Their stories matter. And acknowledging that history is not optional — it is necessary. We are committed to ensuring that this chapter of our City’s history is recognized with dignity, transparency, and respect.”

“To make the most of our future as a City, we must always work to better understand our past,” said City Manager Jay Melder. “These findings are an example of Savannah's unwavering commitment to fully understanding our history, and to ensure we honor and mark that history appropriately.  We must also—whenever possible—commit ourselves to making right today what we did not or could not make right back then. That commitment requires careful research, thoughtful engagement, and action grounded in respect.”

Media Availability: Luciana Spracher, Archives & History Officer, will be available for interviews in Whitefield Square today, Friday, February 20, from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional in-person interviews with individuals involved with the project will be available immediately following Mayor Van R. Johnson’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, February 23, in the Press Room located on the 2nd floor of City Hall.