Join the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department along with members of the Oakwood Cemetery archeological project team from the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) for a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, September 19 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The research team is conducting DNA and isotopic analysis on individuals whose graves were discovered in 2016 during the restoration of the Oakwood Chapel. At the meeting, researchers will update the community about the work completed to date and share next steps in the process.  

Austin Parks and Recreation announced a partnership in 2020 with UConn and UT Austin to undertake DNA and isotopic analysis at no cost to the City of Austin to better understand the lives of the men, women, and children who were discovered at Oakwood Cemetery in 2016 when the chapel was under renovation. The DNA analysis offers a unique opportunity to learn more about identities, familial connections, and life experiences. Additionally, the UConn team is conducting isotopic analysis, which may provide additional insights into the individuals’ diets and regions of origin.  

The community meeting is part of ongoing programming and community engagement related to the Oakwood Cemetery archeological project. Registration for the September 19 meeting and information about the archeological project can be found at AustinTexas.gov/OakwoodProject.