Many people think of the White House as a symbol of democracy, but it also embodies America’s complicated past and the paradoxical relationship between slavery and freedom in the nation’s capital.
The Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood research initiative tells the stories of the enslaved and free African Americans who built, lived, and worked at the White House, as well as the surrounding homes on Lafayette Park.
#SPNInitiative
Image Credit: New York Public Library
We are excited to announce the official launch of our #SPNInitiative’s new webpage: whitehousehistory.org/spn/introducti…
This site features an interactive timeline that highlights the enslaved households of America’s presidents, as well as the individuals and families who made the White House function on a daily basis.
There is also an index of identified enslaved individuals who built and worked at the White House; pages for FAQs and additional resources to consult; and a virtual tour of the Decatur House Slave Quarters.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.