Slave Dwelling Project Weekend

There's no way to effectively approximate the lived experience of America's enslaved populations, but through the widely acclaimed Slave Dwelling Project, modern Americans can get a small, poignant taste. The program sets up in Natchez this weekend, hoping to bring attention to the world of slaves who lived in this part of the South in particular. Educator and interpreter Joe McGill founded the Slave Dwelling Project as a living history lesson as part of his attempt to spend an evening in every one of our nation’s last remaining slave dwellings, helping to raise awareness and preserve them for future study and understanding.

The weekend will start off Friday night at the Historic Natchez Foundation (108 S. Commerce) with a photographic exhibition of images gleaned from the Foundation's ongoing architectural survey of slave-related structures in the Natchez area. Rice University professor Caleb McDaniel will speak about his book, Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America. 

On Saturday morning, Historic Natchez will offer a walking tour of slave-related buildings their survey team has documented in the downtown area, beginning and ending at the William Johnson House (210 State Street). Saturday afternoon, McGill will speak about the Slave Dwelling Project at the great suburban estate Melrose (1 Melrose Montebello Parkway), and former Executive Director of the Historic Natchez Foundation Mimi Miller will discuss her own research into the community of the enslaved at Melrose. Special house tours will be held throughout the afternoon. 

Sunday morning, Dr. Max Grivno of the University of Southern Mississippi will present a program on his ongoing research on slavery in the Natchez District at the theater in the Natchez Visitors Center (640 S. Canal Street). Prior to his talk, visitors are encouraged to view the exhibit on Slavery and the Forks of the Road in his lobby. 

This event is sponsored by the Historic Natchez Foundation, Natchez National Historical Park, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Mississippi Humanities Council and is part of National Park Week 2020. All events are free and open to the public. nps.gov/natc.