Voiced Unleashed: A Story of Slavery In Illinois

Описание: In 2019, former assistant director, Jeffrey Edison began working on a documentary focusing on the early history of slavery in Illinois; in particular those individuals enslaved at Stephenson House. “Voices Unleashed” is told through the voice of Winn, a slave Lucy Stephenson inherited from her father and brought with her to the Illinois Territory in 1809. It’s hoped that it will serve as an educational tool that can be sent to area classrooms, viewed by visitors at the site, and distributed online to bring this little-known history to light.
The project was funded through grants from the Meridian Society and Illinois Humanities. SIUE Mass Communications instructor Cory Byers and several students directed, filmed, and edited the 18-minute video. Local volunteers and actors made up the cast. Filming sites included Stephenson House, Cahokia Courthouse, Nicholas Jarrot Mansion, and the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site.
Filming began in November of 2019 with several dates scheduled into 2020. Unfortunately, Covid-19 shut the world down and the project had to be put on hold. Five years later, the project is finally complete. In July of this year, we were able to film the final scenes needed to complete production.
Through the efforts of many volunteers, other historic sites, SIUE, and Jeffrey Edison’s passion for history this project was made possible. As a museum, we strive to tell a truthful story of the past including that which is difficult to hear or understand today. Oftentimes, the story of slavery is overlooked at museums but we feel it must be told to honor those who lived it.

Filmed and directed by instructors and students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Cory Byers - Producer/Shooter/Editor
Maddy Farrar & Lillian Klebenow - Musicians
Filmed at the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House
2024©

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