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founding fathers and slavery

The descendants of enslaved persons at James Madison’s Montpelier will now share in the governance of the site

John Fea   |  June 19, 2021

This is unprecedented. Here is a taste of the Montpelier’s press release: In a first-ever milestone for museums and historic sites that are former places of enslavement, The Montpelier Foundation (TMF) board of directors voted Wednesday, based on a proposal...

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Hamilton and slavery at the Schuyler Mansion

John Fea   |  October 30, 2020

Here is Indiana Nash’s piece at The Daily Gazette, a newspaper that covers the Albany region: The Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site is working to parse fact from fiction when it comes to Alexander Hamilton’s role as an enslaver. While...

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Sean Wilentz on Tom Cotton and slavery

John Fea   |  August 4, 2020

The Princeton University American historian Sean Wilentz has been a harsh critic of The New York Times 1619 Project. But that doesn’t mean he is going to give Arkansas senator Tom Cotton a pass for his recent comments about slavery and the...

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Engaging with the latest stuff on race and the founders coming from Liberty University’s Falkirk Center

John Fea   |  July 18, 2020

Not all Christian colleges are the same. Some of you may recall a post in which I compared Messiah University to Liberty University. If you have a child considering a faith-based college I encourage you to read that post. Liberty...

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Thinking historically about Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech

John Fea   |  July 7, 2020

A lot of conservatives liked Trump’s speech on Friday night. I am told that The Wall Street Journal gave it a positive review. I commented on the speech here, but I thought I would say a few more things about Trump’s...

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The Author’s Corner with Jeffrey Einboden

Annie Thorn   |  June 29, 2020

Jeffrey Einboden is Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor at Northern Illinois University. This interview is based on his new book, Jefferson’s Muslim Fugitives: The Lost Story of Enslaved Africans, their Arabic Letters, and an American President (Oxford University Press, 2020)....

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When people who don’t read history vandalize monuments and statues

John Fea   |  June 26, 2020

Those who study the American Revolution know Tadeusz Kosciusko. He was a Polish military engineer who served on the patriot side during the American Revolution. Recently, his monument in Washington D.C. was covered with anti-racism slogans. Most people don’t know...

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It’s Official: Monticello Affirms Thomas Jefferson Fathered Children with Sally Hemings

John Fea   |  June 13, 2018

It was announced on June 6, 2018.  Here is the press release: The issue of Jefferson’s paternity has been the subject of controversy for at least two centuries, ranging from contemporary newspaper articles in 1802 (when Jefferson was President) to...

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The Founding Fathers Visit Saturday Night Live

John Fea   |  August 21, 2017

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z50OazqL6Xo&w=560&h=315]...

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Slavery at James Madison’s House

John Fea   |  June 21, 2017

Alyssa Rosenberg reports on efforts to tell the story of slavery at James Madison’s Montpelier.  A permanent exhibit titled “The Mere Distinction of Colour” opened on June 5. Here is a taste of Rosenberg’s piece at The Washington Post: …The new galleries,...

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Montpelier to Open Exhibit on Slavery

John Fea   |  May 18, 2017

A local CBS news outlet is reporting that James Madison’s Montpelier will soon be telling the story of the slaves who worked at the mansion. Here is a taste: Working in the shadow of Montpelier, kneels Terry Brock, Senior Research...

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What Constitutes a Historical Document?

John Fea   |  June 8, 2016

AHA Today, the blog of the American Historical Association, is featuring the work of several history graduate students who will be writing regular posts throughout the summer.  I am thrilled to see that one of the students chosen to write...

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Slavery and Historical Interpretation at Monticello, Montpelier, and Ash Lawn-Highland

John Fea   |  February 17, 2016

 C-Ville, a website covering life in the Charlottesville, VA area, is running a nice piece on slavery interpretation at the homes of Virginia presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Here is a taste: The sickeningly horrible institution of...

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Hemmings’s Cabin at Monticello

John Fea   |  February 7, 2015

I just stumbled across this post from the Monticello website.  Really interesting.  Here is a taste: While study of Mulberry Row has been underway for nearly 60 years, Monticello curators just discovered new important information about the furnishings of John...

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