Slave Dwelling Project

Experience Slave Dwelling Project Weekend featuring a series of events centered on historic preservation and interpretation, community and family. This weekend will be the fourth installment of Slave Dwelling Project partnerships that are centered around U.S. Presidential legacies.

Join us for one – or all of the events! Visit jameskpolk.net for more details.

Slave Dwelling Project Weekend is brought to you by The President James K. Polk State Historic Site, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Slave Dwelling Project, the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, the North Carolina Humanities Council, The Town of Pineville, the Polk Memorial Support Fund Inc. and the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association.

Friday, September 29
Stories Untold: A Communal Dinner

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture come together to present an intimate experience that will fill your hearts, souls and stomachs. The evening will feature Mr. Joseph McGill, Founder and Executive Director of the Slave Dwelling Project, as the keynote speaker.

For nearly three years, the Slave Dwelling Project has aimed to bring community stakeholders together to identify extant slave dwellings, and work towards their preservation. Mr. McGill will challenge program participants to think differently about historic preservation and interpretation, particularly as it relates to slave dwellings and the history of U.S. slavery. Mr. McGill will also share his experiences interpreting slavery at presidential sites and museums.

Following the keynote conversation, guests will enjoy food and intimate, small group discussions on topics including race, U.S. slavery, family ties, home, southern culture and the American experience.

Hours: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)

Admission: $40 (Includes optional entry into raffle for overnight experience). Tickets go on sale August 1, 2017. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, visit ganttcenter.org.

Location: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

BUY TICKETS

Friday, September 29
The Stories We Tell: An Overnight Experience

Mr. Joseph McGill, Founder and Executive Director of the Slave Dwelling Project, invites you to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. During this intimate evening, guests will sleep in a representative slave cabin at The President James K. Polk State Historic Site, birthplace of the 11th U.S. President. Here, participants will have the opportunity to share in a meaningful discussion on the life experiences of enslaved peoples, contemporary social issues and the U.S. presidency before spending their evening in a crudely constructed historic log cabin.

Following the overnight experience, you will have the opportunity to reflect, write and record your story using a variety of media, including video recorders and journals.

Hours: 9:00 PM - until

Admission: Free *

Location: President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville, NC 28134

* Participants will be randomly chosen via lottery system. Selected participants will be notified no later than one week prior to the experience. Ticket purchase for Stories Untold: A Communal Dinner is required to be entered into the overnight experience selection pool. Purchase tickets by Friday, September 8, 2017 at ganttcenter.org for entry.

Saturday, September 30
Inalienable Rights: Living History through the Eyes of the Enslaved

Join the Slave Dwelling Project for a one-of-a-kind living history event.

Families are invited to visit the historic grounds where interpreters will weave tales inspired by the lives of enslaved African Americans. In addition, storytelling, open hearth cooking and other historical skills will be demonstrated.

Learn more about the Slave Dwelling Project.

Hours: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Admission: Free.

Location: The President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134. Visit jameskpolk.net for additional details.

This project is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.