Today I went to Monticello. The night before I went to an Underground Railroad exhibit in another town. I have a lot to process.
At the Underground Railroad exhibit, there were few attendees. We couldn’t take pictures. They showed an actual iron ball and chain that weighed 24 pounds, the spiked, iron headgear, and the leather, locked collars used on captured people who tried to run away from slavery.
I drew pictures of what I saw and recorded the information listed since I couldn’t take pictures.
At Monticello, we could take pictures of the ground sites, but we couldn’t take pictures inside Jefferson’s mansion. I also recorded what I saw inside his mansion.
I went to the Sally Hemings’ room and a reconstructed dwelling of an enslaved blacksmith. And I spent most of my time at the places where enslaved people labored: the horse stable, smokehouse, dairy, kitchen, “garden”, etc.
I also saw the ridiculous weekly food rations that an adult, enslaved person received: one peck of cornmeal, four salted fish, and a 1/2 pound of pork. They said “theft” was common at Monticello (and I see why!!). Adults also only received an annual yardage of cloth to make 2 outfits each year.
I bypassed Thomas Jefferson’s ornate gravesite, and I chose to spend more time at the unmarked burial plot where some enslaved people are buried. I prayed for their souls and poured libations to the enslaved ancestors. I felt heavy hearted as I thought about what their lives were like on earth.
I saw two different portrayals of the life of enslaved people at two different places. After seeing both, I am more committed to centering and celebrating their voices. Voices that have been historically erased and silenced.
I feel a heavy charge to do this after my visits. It’s so important.
