August 2019

In August 2019, the Bonner Family Reunion was held in Carrollton near the campus of the University of West Georgia. The day before - Friday, Aug. 29 - family members joined UWG representatives on campus for an open house in which information was shared on the current status of the initiative and a brief tour of the site.

July 2019

The Along the Ridge advisory group, consisting of approximately 50 people - including descendant family members of the enslaved persons connected to the Bonner Plantation - met for the second time on UWG's campus in July 2019.

June 2019

In late June, archaeologists with Southern Research Historic Preservation Consultants returned to UWG’s campus to determine the boundaries of the possible cemetery site. During this visit, the archaeologists completed that task, finding that the possible cemetery is likely limited to the area to the west of Melson Hall at the top of the knoll on Front Campus Drive.

May 2019

An advisory group consisting of approximately 50 people - including descendant family members of the enslaved persons connected to the Bonner Plantation - met for the first time on UWG's campus in early May 2019. A recap of that meeting was posted on the university's website: https://www.westga.edu/news/around-uwg/bonner-forum.php.

April 2019

Immediately after receiving the preliminary findings from Southern Research, representatives from UWG's Center for Diversity and Inclusion began connecting with possible descendant family members of the enslaved persons of the Bonner Plantation community in the ongoing effort to bring honor and reverent remembrance to the endeavor.

March 2019

On Monday, March 25, an email was sent to all university employees informing them of the next site visit by consultant firm Southern Research from March 26-28.Southern Research visited campus, using GPR to survey the areas where historical documents suggested the cemetery might be located. Two areas where the GPR suggested graves were present were chosen for excavation.

January 2019

On Monday, Jan. 14, an email was sent to all university employees informing them that representatives from Southern Research would return to campus that week to continue the comprehensive mapping project. Following their visit, Southern Research submitted its second progress report to UWG officials, detailing the excavation of three additional test units in the vicinity of Melson Hall.

December 2018

The Bonner Plantation Archaeological Survey committee convened to discuss the launch and scope of the comprehensive mapping project to be conducted by Southern Research. On Monday, Dec. 17, an email was sent to all university employees informing them of the survey to begin the following day, Dec. 18, and that would likely last several days.

November 2018

The Bonner Plantation Archaeological Survey committee – consisting of representatives from Academic Affairs; Business and Finance; University Advancement; Office of the President; and Southern Research – convened to discuss the possibility of an archaeological survey near Melson Hall to verify theories that the area is the site of a former cemetery.