OAK RIDGE, TENN. -- Over 150 years ago, the land which ultimately became known as the Oak Ridge Reservation was dotted with cemeteries both large and small, serving as the final resting place for the people who lived in small farming communities of Roane and Anderson counties.

On a bend of the East Fork Poplar Creek near what is now known as the Department of Energy's (DOE) East Tennessee Technology Park lies a different kind of resting place, a cemetery that was reserved for the African-American slaves who were owned by farmers in the area.

On May 26, 2000, the DOE and several DOE contractors will unveil a monument to memorialize African-American slaves buried in this cemetery, which has been renamed the Wheat Community African Burial Ground. The event, which will include descendants of many of the African-American slaves buried in the cemetery, is open to the public.

Rufus Smith, DOE's Diversity Programs and Employee Concerns Manager, said, "This memorial is a reality because of many outside of the Department of Energy who wanted to see an appropriate recognition given to those who may have not received when laid to rest. We are now able to call attention to those who came before us through the support of community leaders and businesses in Oak Ridge."

According to historical accounts, African-American slaves were buried in the wooded cemetery in the mid 1800s, making it one of the oldest cemeteries on the Oak Ridge Reservation. Another African-American slave cemetery was located on the Clinch River near the former site of the K-25 Powerhouse. Both cemeteries were located on private property that was taken over by the Federal government as part of the World War II Manhattan Project to construct the Clinton Engineering Works. Today, DOE maintains 31 cemeteries and makes these areas of the Oak Ridge Reservation accessible to descendants of individuals buried in the cemeteries.

In addition to the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge organizations that have contributed to/or supported the memorial include the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee; Bechtel Jacobs Company, LLC; Lockheed Martin Energy Research; Lockheed Martin Energy Systems; ICF Builders & Consultants Inc.; Lockwood Greene Technologies Inc.; East Tennessee Mechanical Corporation; and the Atomic City Sportsman's Club.

The Wheat Community African Burial Ground is located across Highway 58 from the main entrance (Portal 2) to the East Tennessee Technology Park. Citizens attending the ceremony, which begins at 11:00 a.m., should park at the Portal 2 visitor parking area and board a shuttle bus to reach the site.

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