These 5 Historic Sites Are Authentically Educating Visitors About Slavery

With the increased focus on diversity and authenticity in the travel industry, many historic sites have been wrestling with how to portray the full scope of the history of their locations in programming — particularly as it pertains to difficult subjects such as slavery. The intention of these changes is not only to educate people about the complete and transparent story of these destinations, but also to help the sites appeal to a wider demographic.   

There are many historic sites around the country and globally that are doing this, but there are a few telling their story particularly well — often with quite different approaches. For travel advisors who want to cater to a more diverse clientele (and those interested in learning the authentic history of these important sites), it’s important to be aware of the varying ways historic sites tell their stories. 

Here’s our list of the ones to know.

Monticello: Charlottesville, Virgnia

The home of former President Thomas Jefferson outside Charlottesville, Va., has made a concerted effort to educate visitors about the more than 400 enslaved people who lived on the grounds. Monticello has implemented two specific guided tours of the estate: the 2.5-hour From Slavery to Freedom Tour, which explores the house, the grounds and Mulberry Row (the mostly outdoor hub of the plantation) through the perspectives of the people enslaved there; and the 45-minute Slavery at Monticello Tour, which mainly explores Mulberry Row. There is also a free mobile app that goes more in-depth about the lives of Monticello's enslaved men, women and children, as well as a host of online resources on Monticello’s website.

Colonial Williamsburg: Williamsburg, Virginia

This outdoor living history museum in Va. — which includes several blocks of historical homes, businesses and museums — has diversified the entirety of its programming. All the interpreters working in the buildings that make up this museum are prepared to speak about how slavery was integral to the various businesses and homes located here during the colonial era. In addition, there are dedicated itineraries and events for visitors interested in learning more about the African American experience during this time period, which includes reenactments, tours, exhibitions and theater presentations.

Carnton: Franklin, Tennessee

The entrance to the grounds at Carnton, an early 1800s home and farm in Franklin, Tenn., has a sign asking visitors to pause and reflect on the site’s legacy of slavery. Perhaps best known for its role as a temporary field hospital for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War's Battle of Franklin, Carnton was also home to around 44 enslaved people from 1830 until the outbreak of the war. While there is a 90-minute Slavery & the Enslaved Tour focused on the institution of slavery and the specific people who were enslaved here, Carnton guides aim to include some information about and perspectives from the site's enslaved people in all the tour offerings.

Whitney Plantation: Edgard, Louisiana

One of the more well-known examples of the ways former plantation homes in the South are acknowledging their history of enslavement is the Whitney Plantation. Opened in 2014 with the mission of educating visitors about the legacy of slavery in Louisiana and the U.S., the Whitney Plantation makes enslaved people the main focus of all tours, exhibitions and educational activities, with powerful artwork dotting the memorial grounds and historic buildings. The historic museum and home was one of the first of its kind and has since paved the way for many of the recent changes in the way historical homes and plantations discuss the institution of slavery.

Magnolia Plantation: Charleston, South Carolina

Today, the main draw of the 350-year-old Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, S.C., tends to be the natural environment. The home offers tours of the 66-acre gardens, as well as the surrounding swampland, and there are 6 miles of walking and biking trails. Included with garden admission is the From Slavery to Freedom tour, which educates visitors about the enslaved women, men and children who lived and worked on the former rice plantation and were responsible for the planting and upkeep of the gardens even after emancipation.