As 250 years of Virginia’s history is celebrated this year, it is important to remember those who were not free.
An interactive display in the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture invites visitors to reflect on the names of those in Botetourt County who were enslaved.
A name can be drawn from an “Unspoken” container and read aloud or mentally remembered. Then the visitor can place the piece of paper in the “Remembered” container. Often, only the first name is listed.
The names were compiled by Robert Harshbarger of Daleville in 2000. He went through various Botetourt records to create a list of those who were considered possessions of another person from 1801-1880 for the Botetourt County Courthouse. More information can be found at the museum or at Bothis.wordpress.com.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
