Voices of the Past Program Highlights
Friday, September 11
7:00 PM – African Music and Dance Performance
Location: Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont
Saturday, September 12
10:00 am – Joe McGill Kickoff Event
Location: George Washington’s Ferry Farm
Hear Slave Dwelling Project Founder, Joe McGill, introduce the purpose behind his work to honor stories of slavery and emancipation and to preserve associated sites.
*Ticketed Event – Tickets will be available in advance online or onsite.
11:30 am – Traditional Cooking Demonstrations
Location: Mary Washington House
Join a living historian for a traditional cooking demonstration in the garden near the historic kitchen.
*Ticketed Event – Tickets will be available in advance online or onsite.
1:30 pm – “A Slave No More”
Location: Falmouth Beach (Rappahannock River, Stafford County)
Storytelling to honor John Washington and the thousands of local enslaved people who self-emancipated in 1862.
Free and open to the Public. Shuttles will be available.
3:00 pm – Laundry Demonstrations and the story of Ellen Mitchell
Location: Chatham (National Park Service site, Stafford County)
Join park rangers and living historians for laundry demonstrations and to learn the story of laundress, Ellen Mitchell, who fundraised for her freedom.
Free and open to the Public. Shuttles will be available.
6:30 pm – African American Spirituals
Location: TBD
Hear traditional African American spirituals with a Fredericksburg community choir.
Free and open to the Public.
8:00 pm – Stories of Freedom
Location: Moncure Conway House
Join a storyteller at abolitionist, Moncure Conway’s, home to hear the experiences of people enslaved by his parents, some of whom escaped with Conway’s help.
Free and open to the Public.
Overnight Stay
Location: Moncure Conway House Yard
*Reservations Required. No Amenities will be provided.
Sunday, September 13
10:00 am – Combined Church Services
Location: Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site)
Combined church services with area congregations.
Free and open to the Public.
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Brickmaking Demonstrations
Location: James Monroe Museum
Drop by for demonstrations showcasing historic brickmaking techniques in the courtyard of the James Monroe Museum.
Free and open to the Public.
2:00 pm – Community Conversation
Location: TBD
Gather as a community to honor those sold from the Auction Block with a community conversation.