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Voices of the Innocent: Slave children at Ash Lawn-Highland and
a Visit with President James Monroe
As part of the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of President James Monroe’s birth, Ash Lawn-Highland will host a special event on January 21st from 1-5pm, which coincides with Martin Luther King Day. The program emphasizes hope and survival within the harsh realities of slavery.
On Mon day, January 21, Voices of the Innocent: Slave children at Ash Lawn-Highland will be presented. The children of slaves played an integral part in the plantation system. Ash Lawn-Highland will focus on their experience and contribution to the plantation economy. Each guided tour of Highland will begin with an introduction to the life of a slave child. The child life experience continues in the slave quarters, where visitors are invited to speak with open hearth cook Martha Bar and resident spinner and weaver Terry Montgomery. They will discuss the work done in the kitchens and weaving areas by these young children. Our young guests will also have the opportunity to play 19th century games played by all children of the period.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to meet and talk to President James Monroe, portrayed by Dennis Bigelow. James Monroe epitomizes the revolutionary generation, a man wrestling with the realities of slavery and his belief that “all men are created equal.” Artist Russell Hubert will be on hand to demonstrate Paper Quilling, a 19th century art form of using strips of paper to create interesting and unusual designs.
Owned by James Monroe’s alma mater, William and Mary, Ash Lawn-Highland is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM April-October, and 11 AM to 5 PM November-March. Tours are $10 for adults ($9 for seniors and AAA members) and $5 for children (ages 6 to 11) and local residents (Albemarle, Augusta, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, Orange, and Rockingham counties). Ash Lawn-Highland is located off I-64, exit 121, past Jefferson’s Monticello at 1000 James Monroe Parkway. For information, contact Ash Lawn - Highland at 434-293-9539 or visit www.ashlawnhighland.org. |
