About the Memorial

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial is the only memorial in the country that commemorates the actual name and place of arrival of an enslaved African. The Memorial consists of three distinct areas: the Alex Haley sculpture group, Compass Rose, and Story Wall.

Alex Haley

The sculpture group features Alex Haley seated before a group of three children of different ethnic backgrounds. Holding a book open on his lap, he recounts his family's history and that of the Annapolis port as the symbolic beginning of the history and journey of African Americans. Next to the statues are three bronze plaques including one dedicated in 1981 and containing the original acknowledgement of Kunta Kinte's arrival on the slave ship Lord Ligonier in 1767.

The Sculpture Group

The sculptures depict Alex Haley reading to three children of different ethnic backgrounds. Join with them and recall your own family stories. A plaque next to them commemorates the arrival of Kunta Kinte.

Story Wall

Next to the sculptures is the Story Wall, a series of ten markers topped with bronze plaques lining the retaining sea wall on Compromise Street. On each plaque is a quote from Alex Haley's story of his family's journey as told in Roots. Each quote is accompanied by text and unique graphics that explain and illuminates its meaning. Together, the ten plaques tell how the specific story of the struggles of one African and the triumphs of his descendants have universal resonance and meaning for us all.

The Story Wall

This is a row of ten plaques just beyond the sculpture group. Each plaque displays a quote from Roots and and interpretive thought. Share these messages with others.

Compass Rose

The Compass Rose is situated next to the Market House across the street from the sculpture group. Fourteen feet in diameter, it includes a bronze inlaid compass and map of the world-oriented to true North with Annapolis at its center. Around the Compass Rose is special lighting and seating. Several web cameras also are being installed at various vantage points downtown to provide continuous on-line worldwide visual access to the site. A nearby information display stand explains the Memorial and the meaning of each of its components.

The Compass Rose

The Compass Rose, comprised of granite and bronze, points to true north. The City of Annapolis is located at the map's center. Stand there and face the direction of your ancestors' origins.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation is presenting the Memorial to the City of Annapolis as stewards of the Memorial for all the citizens of the world community.