A new exhibition, “A Past Uncovered: The Story of the Enslaved People of Travellers Rest,” will be unveiled 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Historic Travellers Rest.
State Historian Dr. C. Van West and Rev. Bruce Maxwell will open the exhibit with a short ribbon cutting ceremony. The day will proceed with historic house tours and living history presentations.
The display utilizes recovered historical documents such as letters, ledgers and advertisements to paint a picture of the individuals that once lived and worked at the home of Judge John Overton. More than 50 individual slaves are recognized in the display.
The exhibit is housed at Travellers Rest in what is referred to as The Weaving House, c. 1820, which served as a home for a former slave after the Civil War. The structure was recently renovated in preparation for the exhibit.
Highlights of the exhibit include original and reproduced 19th century artifacts, an interactive children’s area and reproduced historical documents. Guests will leave with a better understanding of slavery in Nashville and what it was like to be a skilled apprentice, slave, or tradesman. Chronologically, the exhibit spans from 1790 to 1890, with the primary focus being pre-Civil War.
After the grand opening, entrance to the exhibition will be included in the cost of admission to Travellers Rest. An educational guide regarding the exhibit will be available for teachers prior to the start of the school year to complement on-site field trips and outreach programs.
For more information, visit www.travellersrestplantation.org.
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