Kick off Virginia Archaeology Month with a discussion of one of the most prolific writers and orators of the 19th Century, Frederick Douglass. Douglass devoted his career to the abolition of slavery and equality for African Americans. City of Alexandria archaeologist Benjamin Skolnik, through Archaeology in Annapolis and the University of Maryland, has turned to Douglass’ writings to help locate and interpret the sites described in his autobiographies. Through this engagement, we are increasingly recognizing Douglass’ importance not just as a guide to 19th Century quarters and plantations, but to understanding the ways in which ideas and ideologies can be understood, combated, and overcome.
During the Civil War, Douglass pushed for the creation of the United States Colored Troops—segregated units of African American soldiers fighting in the Union Army. In making this case, he invoked the ideologies of democracy and citizenship and marshaled it against the racial ideologies used to maintain slavery and inequality. Similarly, many newly-arrived Irish immigrants fought for the Union in ethnically-Irish units for, among other reasons, a sense of patriotism and ethnic identity. However, tensions between these two otherwise similarly marginalized groups exploded into the 1863 New York City Draft Riots, which serves as an opportunity to examine underlying issues of labor and class as they relate to race and ethnicity.
Though free, reservations are required, and seating is on a first-come first-served basis. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Alexandria Archaeology (FOAA) and light refreshments will be served.
