Tulsa Officials Will Update 1921 Graves Investigation
Mayor Monroe Nichols and experts will share findings Thursday following recent exhumations at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Current Conditions
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Should local governments prioritize the full excavation of historical gravesites to identify remains?
Mayor Monroe Nichols and project experts will provide an update on the 1921 Graves Investigation this Thursday at 11 a.m. This follows the exhumation of three burials from Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday.
Why it matters
The 1921 Graves Investigation seeks to identify individuals connected to the Tulsa Race Massacre. The ongoing work provides a systematic scientific approach to uncovering and documenting historical burial sites within the community.
Crews successfully recovered three burials on Tuesday during the 6th year of the ongoing 1921 Graves Investigation. Excavation operations were temporarily paused on Wednesday due to rain but are scheduled to resume Thursday morning.
The players
Monroe Nichols
Monroe Nichols is the Mayor of Tulsa who oversees municipal projects and public updates.
The details
Field staff moved the three sets of remains to an on-site laboratory for detailed examinations following their recovery from two excavation areas at Oaklawn Cemetery. Initial field assessments of the exhumed burials indicated no visible signs of trauma.
Timeline
Crews exhumed three burials from Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday.
Rain forced crews to pause operations on Wednesday.
Crews are expected to resume work on Thursday morning.
Mayor Nichols and experts provide update on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Seasonal Patterns
This investigation is an ongoing effort to address the historical legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The project continues to follow established forensic protocols for identifying remains in a manner consistent with the multi-year scope of the search.
Residents should remain aware of temporary traffic or operational adjustments around Oaklawn Cemetery during the active excavation period. Visitors to the area are encouraged to monitor city communications for any updates regarding site access or related public notices.
The takeaway
The ongoing work at Oaklawn Cemetery reflects the citys commitment to historical transparency and scientific inquiry. Continued updates from officials will provide further clarity on the findings as the excavation project progresses.
What happens next
Mayor Monroe Nichols and a team of experts will hold a public update on the status of the investigation on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Further reading
For more information on local events, visit the Tulsa Current Conditions page.
Live Poll
Should local governments prioritize the full excavation of historical gravesites to identify remains?
