"Sixty Slaves for Sale" Reckoning with Enslavement in the Shenandoah Valley

In this episode of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael discusses the upcoming conference, 'Sixty Slaves for Sale: Reckoning with Enslavement in the Shenandoah Valley,' set to take place at Laurel Ridge Community College on October 26th. The event is organized by Laurel Ridge Community College in collaboration with Belle Grove Plantation. Janet introduces her guests: Guy Curtis, the director of marketing at Laurel Ridge Community College; sociology professor Larry Friedenberg; and Kristen Laise, the executive director at Belle Grove. Guy Curtis explains that the conference aims to connect with and educate the community on significant historical topics as part of the college's ongoing efforts. Kristen provides historical context for the conference, sharing the discovery of an old newspaper ad that revealed sixty slaves were sold at Belle Grove. She explains the importance of the conference, timed to mark the 200th anniversary of the sale, and elaborates on the continual research related to the event. Larry Friedenberg discusses the broader implications of bringing historical narratives to life, particularly the experiences of the enslaved, to help build community strength and understanding. The conversation continues with Kristen detailing the research challenges involved, including tracing the lives of enslaved individuals post-sale. She highlights how Route 11 was a significant corridor for the domestic slave trade. Kristen outlines the logistics of the conference, including a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Michael Blakey and featuring various historians and researchers who will provide deeper insights. The episode then turns to the various activities planned for the conference, such as art projects led by Monica James and African drumming, aimed at engaging participants beyond academic discussions. Guy Curtis and Professor Friedenberg emphasize the importance of public support and attendance to continue providing quality educational programs and the opportunities for students to directly interact with faculty and community members. Learn more about the event and/or purchase tickets here: laurelridge.edu/sixty Learn more about Belle Grove on their website: https://bellegrove.org/