2025 Weeping Time Commemoration
166th Anniversary
Thursday, February 27th - Sunday, March 2nd
On March 2 and 3, 1859, the largest slave sale in recorded American history took place at the former Ten Broeck horse racecourse in West Savannah, Georgia when 429 men, women, boys and girls from the Butler plantations near Darien and St. Simons Island, Georgia, were transported to Savannah and sold. The sale took two days during which time families were separated and scattered throughout the American south; many never saw each other again.
During the entire course of the sale, it rained torrentially in Savannah, stopping only after the last enslaved person had been sold. African Americans call this traumatic event The Weeping Time because, they say, God must have been weeping.
The general public is cordially invited to participate in the in-person celebrations!
Itinerary
Thursday, February 27th
College Student Education Engagement
Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus Gullah Geechee Center
11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31419
10:00am
Opening Presentation
"Commemorating The Weeping Time: 2017 - 2024"
Panelists: The Weeping Time Commemoration Committee
4:30pm
Armstrong Campus Presentation
"Commemorating The Weeping Time: 2017 - 2024"
Panelists: The Weeping Time Commemoration Committee
5:30pm
Reception: Business and Community Gathering
Reception: Business, College & Community Gathering
"Taste of Gullah" from Discover Black Savannah
Friday, February 28th
Elementary Student Education Engagement
2:00pm
Otis J. Brock III Elementary School
1804 Stratford Street, Savannah, Georgia 31415
Sharing The Weeping Time with 4th & 5th Graders.
3:00pm
The Weeping Time Honors The Beach Institute
502 East Harris Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401
"The Weeping Time: A Genealogy of Place and People."
Panelists: Janice Roots, Afua Amoo, Dr. Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson
Saturday, March 1st
Commemoration
10:00am
Otis J. Brock III Elementary School
1804 Stratford Street, Savannah, Georgia 31415
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Bertice Berry
Host: Dr. Desma Patterson: Principal
2:00pm
St. Cyprian's Church Commemoration
401 Fort King George Drive, Darien, Georgia 31305
Host: Ms. Clara Rowsey-Stewart
6:00pm
Candlelight Vigil
Butler Island: Darien, Georgia
Remembering those who were sold at The Weeping Time.
Sunday, March 2nd
The Weeping Time Events
9:00am
Overcoming by Faith Ministries
9700 Middleground Road, Savannah, Georgia 31406
Sunday Church Service
Hosts: Pastors Ricky & Dianne Temple
2:00pm
The Caravan: Laying of Wreath at Saint Simon's Island
Hampton Plantation: Saint Simon's Island, Georgia
Stories that Tabby Ruins Tell: Remembering Hampton's Enslaved
Host: Hermena Glass-Hill
1:00pm - 5:00pm
The Weeping Time African Unity Festival
1100 West Gwinnett Street, Savannah, Georgia (at the Water Works Plaza)