South Carolina State Parks and The Slave Dwelling Project created a series of Facebook Live videos to explore the African American experience at Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site from slavery through Reconstruction and beyond. The virtual experience was supported with a Speakers Bureau program grant from South Carolina Humanities.
Joseph McGill, Jr. of The Slave Dwelling Project said, “In this world and time of social distancing, no historic site will come out of this unscathed. Unfortunately, some will not recover at all. Those that do will find that the demographics of their audience will change. The core of that audience will be younger and more diverse. Additionally, technology will play a vital role in keeping these sites relevant. The Slave Dwelling Project thrives on its presence at antebellum sites in its efforts to honor the enslaved Ancestors. We are proud that sites like Rose Hill Plantation and organizations like the South Carolina Humanities Council make our program titled Social Distance Learning possible. This simple concept allows us to conduct solo sleepovers at antebellum sites while giving the public access through Facebook live sessions.”
The Facebook Live videos from Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site that are available to view include:
Virtual House Tour with Joseph McGill, Jr. of the Slave Dwelling Project and Park Manager Nate Johnson
Virtual Grounds Tour with Joseph McGill, Jr. of the Slave Dwelling Project and Park Manager Nate Johnson
Social Distance Learning Part 1 with Joseph McGill, Jr. of the Slave Dwelling Project
Social Distance Learning Part 2 with Joseph McGill, Jr. of the Slave Dwelling Project
The Morning After Rose Hill Plantation with Joseph McGill, Jr. of the Slave Dwelling Project
The Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud program of SC Humanities allows some of South Carolina’s finest scholars, such as Joseph McGill, to travel throughout the state to share their interests and knowledge of the humanities and to spark discussions about human values, traditions and cultures. Many of the programs are now available virtually. Learn more about the Speakers Bureau: Humanities Out Loud program.
The Slave Dwelling Project envisions a future in which the hearts and minds of Americans acknowledge a more truthful and inclusive narrative of the history of the nation that honors the contributions of all our people, is embedded and preserved in the buildings and artifacts of people of African heritage, and inspires all Americans to acknowledge their Ancestors. Live streaming sessions on Facebook and virtual campfire discussion for classrooms are available during these times of social distancing.
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site is a place to learn about important themes and key events in South Carolina’s history: the cotton boom and its collapse, secession and Civil War, slavery and sharecropping, emancipation and the fight for civil rights and Reconstruction and its violent overthrow.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 20-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.
