$19 million dollars.
$19 million dollars. With this amount of funding given to the Richmond Slave Trail Commission by state and local governments, Richmond might finally see a large scale project devoted to some of its darkest days.
For over 30 years, until the end of the civil war, Shockoe Bottom held one of the nations worst slave prisons, called Lumpkin’s Jail, owned by Robert Lumpkin, also known as “the devil’s half acre.” According to historians, hundreds of black slaves were tortured and held captive there as Richmond became the second largest slave trading post behind New Orleans.
It’s hard to sum up the misery which came from Lumpkin’s operation, but the Smithsonian.com’s write up paints a clear picture with this line:
With a designated “whipping room,” where slaves were stretched out on the floor and flogged, [Lumpkin’s] jail functioned as a human clearinghouse and as a purgatory for the rebellious.
Lumpkin yielded much power during the primary slave trade before the Civil War up until his death. His wife Mary Lumpkin, widow and a former slave of Robert Lumpkin himself, then forfeited much of his power property towards the establishment of Virginia Union University in 1865. One of the oldest historically black universities in the country which also celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
Now, with the site a grassy open field, and the $19 million in promised funds, community groups are coming together to turn the former site of horrors into a place to honor those lost and the stories they had.
Richmond Speaks, a local project aiming to unite stake holders, young people, and government officals around the future of the Lumpkin’s site, has been holding public conversations around the issue for the last few weeks.
“This process of Richmond Speaks is extremely important for our district because how we are able rebuild and reframe the story of how Lumpkin’s site is told, “ Mayor Dwight C. Jones said at the podium of the Richmond Speaks conversation held at Huguenot High School on September 15th. “This is an opportunity to turn the page of history in our glorious city as we before had no resources dedicated to allow our goals to be accomplished.”
The jail site had been buried under about fifteen feet of pavement and dirt in Shockoe Bottom. Recent excavations found the foundation prints of the buildings of Lumpkin’s Jail, century old cobblestone sidewalks, and numerous artifacts that may or may not have been belonged to slaves or inhabitants in the jail during that era was also found.
“The emancipation of slaves brought an end to the story of Lumpkin’s Jail and its enslaved africans. The Lumpkin’s Jail story is a story of tragedy to triumph as the establishment of Virginia Union University was able to take place.” Delegate Delores McQuinn said. “We now have the opportunity to create a legacy for present and future generations.”
The fight to honor those lost at Lumpkin’s Jail has not been a recent project, but the funding injection does open doors no one thought possible until now. The Richmond Slave Trail Commission had only $13,000 in funds a couple of years ago, now the $19 million dollars to be allocated towards the project could finally get off the ground.
The Richmond Speaks public conversation is a forum in which the citizens of Richmond are able to learn more information about the early process of this project as well as ask questions concerning the direction of project.
Primarily focused on the Lumpkin’s Jail site, some conversationalists at the Richmond Speaks public event asked questions about the plans for further excavation, improvements to the Richmond Slave Trail, facility design, educational benefits, and Richmond economy.
The raising of these questions are elements that the Richmond Speaks project seeks to help understand the needs and to fully utilize the funding of the project.
“The place we have come to is a place that is very different from the place that we were at five years ago. Two years ago…” Reverend and Author Ben Campbell said at the podium of the Richmond Speaks public conversation. “An equalization of truth has come up that is able to make Richmond a very special place.”
Though the history of power in Richmond serves to be a dark and buried one, notes of positivity in Richmond history can be carried out through modern day advancements. Richmond now carries and upholds both the power to reestablish a negative history in a positive and enlightened path through utilizing an initiative through the power of history, heritage, and community.
“We are now able to pass on the story of truth and authenticity onto future generations that could pave steps towards a better Richmond and a better America”. Delegate McQuinn said.
If you have any questions regarding the Lumpkin’s Jail site and its improvements by the Richmond Slave Trail Commision, there are still a couple of opportunity to attend a Richmond Speaks event to learn more about the project:
Monday, September 28th, 6pm, at Virginia Union University: Henderson Building, 2nd Floor, 1500 N.Lombardy Street
Tuesday, September 29th, 6pm, at Franklin Military Institute: 701 N.37th Street
LINKS:
For more information about Richmond Speaks visit: http://www.richmondspeaksaboutlumpkins.org/
For more information about the Richmond Slave Trail Commision and this project visit: http://richmondvaannouncements.blogspot.com/2015/08/slave-trail-improvements-and-plans-for.html
Lumpkin’s Jail Site report: http://www.richmondgov.com/CommissionSlaveTrail/documents/LumpkinsSlaveJailFinalReport.pdf
Excavation Pictures are via http://www.richmondspeaksaboutlumpkins.org/
Quotes recorded are pulled from speeches given by Mayor, Delegate, and Reverend
