The Journey to Be Free: Alexandria’s Contraband History, with Audrey Davis, U.S. Army Museum

Описание: On May 23rd, 1863, Shepard Mallory, Frank Baker and James Townsend, three enslaved men, arrived at Fort Monroe, Virginia, seeking freedom.

The men were met by U.S. Army General Benjamin Franklin Butler, who commanded the fort. Butler refused the request by a Confederate colonel demanding their return and labeled the freedom seekers as contraband — property to be used by the enemy against the Union. Following Butler’s decision, thousands of enslaved African Americans flocked to Fort Monroe and other U.S. Army camps throughout the South in the pursuit of freedom.

The actions of Mallory, Baker, Townsend and Butler-- in addition to the thousands of formerly enslaved men, women and children seeking emancipation-- transformed the Civil War from a conflict between the states into a struggle for freedom. In this History Talk, explore the events that transpired at Fort Monroe and its impact on the U.S. Army.

Audrey P. Davis is the Director of the Alexandria Black History Museum. Throughout her tenure with the City of Alexandria, Davis has been recognized for her exemplary service and commitment to her profession. In 2004, she was appointed by Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner to the Board of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy, and she was reappointed to that Board in 2007 by Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine, serving until her term ended in 2010. In 2012 she was an essential part of the Office of Historic Alexandria team that achieved accreditation of all departmental facilities, including the Alexandria Black History Museum for the first time, as a “museum system” by the American Alliance of Museums.

Davis was one of five authors of the History Press book, “African Americans of Alexandria, Virginia: Beacons of Light in the 20th Century.” Davis has also served as president of the Alexandria Historical Society, is a founding member of the Advisory Council of Virginia Africana: The Network of Museum, History and Preservation Professionals, member of the American Alliance of Museums, past president of the Virginia Association of Museums and member of the Association of African American Museums.

This program originally aired on April 5, 2023.

The Museum’s history symposium series explores important moments in U.S. Army history and covers a variety of topics and conflicts.

Visit the Museum’s website to learn about and register for upcoming symposiums https://www.thenmusa.org/public-progr...

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