Richmond to build life-size replica of slave ship as part of historical memorial project
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new project aimed at honoring the history of enslaved Africans in America is set to take shape in Richmond. City leaders, in partnership with The Shockoe Project, have announced the construction of a life-size replica of the slave ship, "The Brooks," a significant part of the city's history as a major center for the domestic slave trade during the Civil War era. "If I were to tell you there were hundreds of thousands of people traded through the city and showed you where, I would be hard-pressed to show you where because it's all been erased -- it's all been removed," said Burt Pinnock, the master planner for The Shockoe Project. The replica will serve as a memorial for those of African descent affected by enslavement and will be built at Ancarrow's Trailhead, marking the beginning of the Richmond Slave Trail. Richmond has long been entwined with the history of slavery. As the former home of the Confederacy, the city played a crucial role in the domestic slave trade. However, much of this history has been overlooked or erased, leaving a gap in the city's cultural narrative. The project aims to fill this void by highlighting the stories of both enslaved and free African Americans in the region. The project is part of a larger effort to memorialize Richmond's history, including improvements to the trail, the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground and the Winfree Cottage, all significant sites related to the African American experience. "That means that many African Americans who reside in our country today have a link back to Richmond," said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Supporters say the memorial will include an amphitheater and a memorial wall, offering visitors a space to reflect on the past while learning about its lasting impact on the present. The Shockoe Project has been under discussion for decades, and its approval marks a pivotal moment in Richmond's journey toward reckoning with its past. "Who we are today, our quotidian existence, is very much tied to the history of enslavement, the institution of slavery and its impact on this country," Pinnock said. The new memorial is expected to be a significant addition to the city's cultural landscape, offering both residents and visitors a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery and the resilience of African Americans throughout history.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new project aimed at honoring the history of enslaved Africans in America is set to take shape in Richmond. City leaders, in partnership with The Shockoe Project, have announced the construction of a life-size replica of the slave ship, "The Brooks," a significant part of the city's history as a major center for the domestic slave trade during the Civil War era.
"If I were to tell you there were hundreds of thousands of people traded through the city and showed you where, I would be hard-pressed to show you where because it's all been erased -- it's all been removed," said Burt Pinnock, the master planner for The Shockoe Project.
The replica will serve as a memorial for those of African descent affected by enslavement and will be built at Ancarrow's Trailhead, marking the beginning of the Richmond Slave Trail.
Richmond has long been entwined with the history of slavery. As the former home of the Confederacy, the city played a crucial role in the domestic slave trade. However, much of this history has been overlooked or erased, leaving a gap in the city's cultural narrative. The project aims to fill this void by highlighting the stories of both enslaved and free African Americans in the region.
The project is part of a larger effort to memorialize Richmond's history, including improvements to the trail, the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground and the Winfree Cottage, all significant sites related to the African American experience.
"That means that many African Americans who reside in our country today have a link back to Richmond," said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
Supporters say the memorial will include an amphitheater and a memorial wall, offering visitors a space to reflect on the past while learning about its lasting impact on the present. The Shockoe Project has been under discussion for decades, and its approval marks a pivotal moment in Richmond's journey toward reckoning with its past.
"Who we are today, our quotidian existence, is very much tied to the history of enslavement, the institution of slavery and its impact on this country," Pinnock said.
The new memorial is expected to be a significant addition to the city's cultural landscape, offering both residents and visitors a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of slavery and the resilience of African Americans throughout history.
