For the last two decades, historic sites around the country have been engaged in a steady, thoughtful discussion about slavery and race. This conversation isn’t always comfortable or easy, but it happens consistently and it happens with the authenticity and veracity that can only happen in an old place, in a place where history happened and history is preserved, and history is connected to the present. This year the Preservation Leadership Forum takes a look at National Trust Historic Sites and how their interpretation of slavery has evolved and changed over the years.

Slavery at Belle Grove

From the founding fathers to the American Civil War, the “peculiar institution” of slavery runs through all of Belle Grove’s history. Belle Grove Plantation began with a 1783 gift of land from Isaac Hite, Sr., to his son, Major Isaac Hite, Jr., and his new wife, Nelly Madison—sister of President James Madison. The couple had success with agricultural and business enterprises, due in part to having slave labor, which began with a deed from James Madison, Sr., for 15 enslaved men, women, and children. Archival records from the plantation include a list of 276 enslaved people owned by Major Isaac Hite, Jr.’s family during the period from 1783 to 1851. In the early 1800s, some 103 enslaved individuals were recorded as living at the property. Family ledgers indicate that several families lived and worked at Belle Grove for three generations. The Hite family acquired slaves through inheritance or through trades or purchases with family members or neighbors. Others were born at the plantation.

Increased cataloging and digitization of archival records is aiding this research. For example, the documents about the sale of Emmanuel Jackson were discovered in a bound volume of freedom papers in the Allegheny County Courthouse. The volume has since been given to the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh and was part of a 2009 exhibit Free at Last? Slavery in Pittsburgh in the 18th and 19th Centuries at the University of Pittsburgh Library.

Others share our commitment to uncover the history of slavery at the site and are helping our small staff and volunteer corps. A Syracuse University archaeology student has begun the work of rediscovering some of the Belle Grove slave dwellings as part of his PhD research, and initial archaeological testing has yielded promising finds. Members of Coming to the Table, an organization that works to acknowledge and heal wounds from racism that is rooted in the United States’ history of slavery, are sharing their skills and resources in conducting African American genealogical research.

Documenting the Former Slave Cemetery

Two Hite family descendants recently visited Belle Grove and asked why there was no signage to mark the location of what we believe to be a slave cemetery based on oral history from early 20th-century residents. (This area is also slated for further scientific research.) We acknowledged this failure and explained plans for increased interpretation of slavery at Belle Grove. The conversation led to them sponsoring signage that was put in place this summer.

The discomfort of talking with public about slavery in an honest and respectful way often holds historic sites and museums back from raising the subject. At Belle Grove, we know there is much work to be done in this area, and we are finding that our research and discussion prompts more interest and questions from the public and creates new opportunities to include visitors in archaeology and crowd-sourced research as we move forward. Interpreting slavery at Belle Grove is both a process and a responsibility, and we are committed to approaching it with honesty and diligence.