Richmond, Virginia, is poised to become a pivotal location for understanding the history of slavery in America with The Shockoe Project, a large-scale initiative dedicated to memorializing the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and honoring the experiences of enslaved and free Africans. With the unveiling of a life-size replica of the slave ship Brooks, alongside a range of other historical landmarks and improvements, the project aims to both educate and foster reconciliation for the past.
The Life-Size Replica Slave Ship
One of the main features of The Shockoe Project is the life-size replica of Brooks, a slave ship famously used during the transatlantic slave trade. This replica will be constructed at Ancarrow’s Trailhead, marking the beginning of the Richmond Slave Trail. The memorial ship will serve as a powerful, tangible reminder of the conditions endured by enslaved Africans as they were forcibly transported to the Americas. City leaders, including Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and Del. Delores McQuinn, emphasize that the project is more than just a commemoration — it’s an essential step toward reconciling with a painful part of Richmond’s history.
Mayor Stoney expressed that the project’s significance lies not only in remembering the past but also in ensuring the stories of the enslaved, often silenced for generations, are finally acknowledged. Del. McQuinn added that the memorial is a step toward reconciliation, an opportunity for the city to reflect on its painful history while forging a path forward for future generations.
A Comprehensive Historical Destination
Beyond the replica ship, the Shockoe Project includes improvements to several key historical sites throughout the Shockoe Valley. This includes The Richmond Slave Trail, which already features the Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground, the Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground, and the Reconciliation Statue Plaza. The project also plans to relocate and restore the Winfree Cottage, an important African American historic site, and further develop the Shockoe Bottom area, once a bustling hub for the domestic slave trade.
Burt Pinnock, the master planner for the Shockoe Project, highlighted how much of the history tied to Richmond’s role in the slave trade has been “erased” over the years. He expressed that the Brooks replica and the overall memorial project will serve as a space for reflection, remembrance, and education about the historical ties between Richmond and the institution of slavery.
The project’s aim is not just to tell history but to create a space where people can physically walk through and experience that history. In addition to the replica ship, plans include an amphitheater and a memorial wall at Ancarrow’s Trailhead, offering visitors a space to reflect on the past and its continuing impact on society today.
A National Significance
Richmond’s place in American history is indelible, as it was not only the capital of the Confederacy but also a major center for the domestic slave trade. Leaders behind the Shockoe Project see this memorial as an opportunity to position Richmond at the center of the story of slavery in America — to show how the legacy of enslavement has shaped the city and the nation as a whole. Many African Americans today trace their lineage back to Richmond, making the memorial a crucial part of reconnecting with their ancestral roots.
The Shockoe Project has been under discussion for decades, but with city leaders and community advocates now rallying behind the initiative, it is gaining momentum. With the support of private donations and grant funding, the project is expected to receive city council approval and begin its construction in the coming years.
