PROJECTS

FADING EVIDENCE: Last of the slave dwellings

It is impossible to look at the walls of a house, however humble, and fail to imagine those who once lived there.

The fragile wooden shacks I've photographed for the past two years once were home to slaves in the United States. These walls offered the only privacy in the lives of the enslaved during the few hours they spent there each night, brackets to their days of labor and abuse.

Out of the tens of thousands of slave houses only a tiny minority remain. Almost all have disappeared leaving nothing but foundation stones behind. A few survived in the decades after slavery as homes for sharecroppers and other poverty level workers. Some have been repurposed as everything from rental units to guest houses despite cries of sacrilege and disrespect of their history. A handful have been rebuilt and reclaimed for use as educational tools. A scattered few are crumbling away in silence even now.

Small and plain, the slave dwellings were built in a similar style regardless of the location. The contrast is especially strong in locations where the grand plantation houses are within eyesight.

America has a troubled relationship with its past and as visible evidence the slave cabins cause discord today, with some opponents openly expressing their desire to see the past disintegrate and with it reminders of that time period.

I'm photographing with an 8x16" film camera and printing silver gelatin photographs in the darkroom. Some I am altering with bleach to visually communicate the sense of fading away of the structures.

There are slave dwellings throughout the country beyond the expected southern states. In this ongoing project I intend to seek out those slave structures that are on private lands and unrestored, and photograph them and their environment before they are gone.

I am inspired by Joseph McGill, a historian who has set a goal of sleeping in every existing slave dwelling in the country as a way to honor his ancestors and keep this history visible, and Jobie Hill, an academic whose work has focused on slave dwellings, both the location and preservation of the buildings, and their effect on those who lived in them.

to purchase photographs from this series click here

Slave Dwelling No. 1: St James Parish, Louisiana Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No. 1: St James Parish, Louisiana**

Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No.2: St James Parish, Louisiana Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No.2: St James Parish, Louisiana**

Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No. 3: St James Parish, Louisiana Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No. 3: St James Parish, Louisiana**

Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No.6: St James Parish, Louisiana Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No.6: St James Parish, Louisiana**

Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No. 10: St James Parish, LouisianaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. — **Slave Dwelling No. 10: St James Parish, Louisiana**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative.

Slave Dwelling No.11: St Joseph Plantation, LouisianaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The door, mantle, and posts of the bed were painted with toners to illuminate details. To purchase a limited edition photographclick — **Slave Dwelling No.11: St Joseph Plantation, Louisiana**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The door, mantle, and posts of the bed were painted with toners to illuminate details. To purchase a limited edition photographclick

Slave Dwelling No. 14: Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina silver gelatin contact print from 8x16" film negative, transformed with bleach to express the ephemeral nature of these fragile structures — **Slave Dwelling No. 14: Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina**

silver gelatin contact print from 8x16" film negative, transformed with bleach to express the ephemeral nature of these fragile structures

Slave Dwelling No.15: Magnolia Plantation, South CarolinaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away. To purchase a limited edition photographclick — **Slave Dwelling No.15: Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away.

Slave Dwelling No.17, Magnolia Plantation, South CarolinaThis is a slave cabin which has been preserved in its later state as a garden worker’s cabin from the 1930s on the plantation. The 1920s/1930s newspapers on the walls were used for insulation and include national papers like The New York Times mixed with local publications from Charleston. Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement and carefully painted with a solution of toners which adds a warm sepia wash to details I've selected in the photograph. To purchase a limited edition photographclick — **Slave Dwelling No.17, Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina**
This is a slave cabin which has been preserved in its later state as a garden worker’s cabin from the 1930s on the plantation. The 1920s/1930s newspapers on the walls were used for insulation and include national papers like The New York Times mixed with local publications from Charleston.

Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement and carefully painted with a solution of toners which adds a warm sepia wash to details I've selected in the photograph.

To purchase a limited edition photographclick

Slave Dwelling No.18: Magnolia Plantation, South CarolinaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No.18: Magnolia Plantation, South Carolina**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No.23: Magnolia Plantation, LouisianaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away. To purchase a limited edition photographclick — **Slave Dwelling No.23: Magnolia Plantation, Louisiana**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with bleach and toners to visually communicate the sense of the structures fading away. To purchase a limited edition photographclick

Slave Dwelling No.31: Prestwould Plantation, VirginiaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No.31: Prestwould Plantation, Virginia**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No. 36: Kingsley Plantation, FloridaThese slave dwellings were built from tabby, a kind of concrete made by mixing oyster shells and lime. Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement. To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No. 36: Kingsley Plantation, Florida**
These slave dwellings were built from tabby, a kind of concrete made by mixing oyster shells and lime.
Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement. To purchase a limited edition photograph **click**

Slave Dwelling No. 33: Kingsley Plantation, FloridaThese slave dwellings were built from tabby, a kind of concrete made by mixing oyster shells and lime.Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement.To purchase a limited edition photograph click — **Slave Dwelling No. 33: Kingsley Plantation, Florida**
These slave dwellings were built from tabby, a kind of concrete made by mixing oyster shells and lime.
Handprinted silver gelatin photograph from an 8x16” film camera negative directly onto the paper with no enlargement.

Slave Dwelling No. 46: Boone Hall Plantation, South CarolinaSilver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photographclick — **Slave Dwelling No. 46: Boone Hall Plantation, South Carolina**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. The slave cabin was painted with toners to illuminate the structure. To purchase a limited edition photographclick

Slave Dwelling No. 38: Boone Hall, South Carolina Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. Bricks in the hearth are painted with sepia toner to illuminate the fingerprints in the bricks made by enslaved individuals. In 1850 an estimated four million bricks were produced at Boone Hall by 85 slaves. Rejected bricks, such as these containing the fingerprints, were used in the slave houses. — **Slave Dwelling No. 38: Boone Hall, South Carolina**
Silver gelatin photograph handprinted from an 8x16" film negative. Bricks in the hearth are painted with sepia toner to illuminate the fingerprints in the bricks made by enslaved individuals. In 1850 an estimated four million bricks were produced at Boone Hall by 85 slaves. Rejected bricks, such as these containing the fingerprints, were used in the slave houses.

Late afternoon, Vacherie, Louisiana Former slave dwelling on a sugar cane plantation. — **Late afternoon, Vacherie, Louisiana**
Former slave dwelling on a sugar cane plantation.

Sunset, Vacherie, LouisianaFormer slave dwelling on a sugar cane plantation — **Sunset, Vacherie, Louisiana**
Former slave dwelling on a sugar cane plantation

Interior of Former Slave Dwelling, St James Parish, LouisianaThe former slave dwellings were later used as homes by sharecroppers on the plantation, and were continuously lived in through the 1960s. — **Interior of Former Slave Dwelling, St James Parish, Louisiana**
The former slave dwellings were later used as homes by sharecroppers on the plantation, and were continuously lived in through the 1960s.

**Slave Dwellings and Fields, St James Parish, Louisiana**

Former Slave Dwelling, St James Parish, Louisiana The former slave dwellings were later used as homes by sharecroppers on the plantation, and were continuously lived in through the 1960s. — **Former Slave Dwelling, St James Parish, Louisiana**
The former slave dwellings were later used as homes by sharecroppers on the plantation, and were continuously lived in through the 1960s.

Statues, Whitney Plantation, Louisiana Created by Woodrow Nash, the life-sized clay statues are based on true stories of children enslaved on the plantation. Whitney Plantation was purchased by New Orleans trial attorney John Cummings in the 1990s and he set out to create the first museum solely focusing on the issue of slavery. Sengelese scholar Ibrahima Seck co-founded the museum and provided extensive research. — **Statues, Whitney Plantation, Louisiana**
Created by Woodrow Nash, the life-sized clay statues are based on true stories of children enslaved on the plantation. Whitney Plantation was purchased by New Orleans trial attorney John Cummings in the 1990s and he set out to create the first museum solely focusing on the issue of slavery. Sengelese scholar Ibrahima Seck co-founded the museum and provided extensive research.

Servants of Man, Children of God:Marker at cemetery near Faunsdale Plantation, Alabama — **Servants of Man, Children of God:**
**Marker at cemetery near Faunsdale Plantation, Alabama**

**Cemetery near Faunsdale Plantation, Alabama**

**Slave Dwelling, Faunsdale Plantation, Alabama**

Whitney Plantation, LouisianaOne of the granite memorials at Whitney Plantation showing the names of over 107,000 enslaved persons who lived in Louisiana before 1820. The monument was inspired by Maya Lin's Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The names and … — **Whitney Plantation, Louisiana**
One of the granite memorials at Whitney Plantation showing the names of over 107,000 enslaved persons who lived in Louisiana before 1820. The monument was inspired by Maya Lin's Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The names and histories were compiled by historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall.

**Slave Dwelling, Concordia Parish, Louisiana**

**Slave Dwelling and Cotton Fields, Concordia Parish, Louisiana**

On the Way to Dearfield Colony, Colorado Founded in 1909 by Oliver Toussaint Jackson, Dearfield was at one time the most successful black community in the West. In Jackson's words, "We are building the Townland Settlement of Dearfield in Colorado an… — **On the Way to Dearfield Colony, Colorado**
Founded in 1909 by Oliver Toussaint Jackson, Dearfield was at one time the most successful black community in the West. In Jackson's words, "We are building the Townland Settlement of Dearfield in Colorado and we solicit your cooperation to establish a municipality owned and controlled by colored people to prove that we can control, govern and administer as a part of the state government the same as other people."

Ruins, Dearfield Colony, ColoradoFounder OT Jackson was the son of former slaves and moved from Ohio to Colorado, where he became a successful businessman. Inspired by Booker T Washington's Up from Slavery and his view that black ownership of land w… — **Ruins, Dearfield Colony, Colorado**
Founder OT Jackson was the son of former slaves and moved from Ohio to Colorado, where he became a successful businessman. Inspired by Booker T Washington's Up from Slavery and his view that black ownership of land was critical to equality, Jackson purchased 320 acres of land in 1909 with the intention to create a settlement for black Americans to pursue self sufficiency.

Ruins, Dearfield Colony, Colorado The first settlers to Dearfield arrived in 1911 and the first winter was difficult, but by 1920 the community was prospering, selling a variety of crops and running thriving industries. Jackson's plans to expand fur… — **Ruins, Dearfield Colony, Colorado**
The first settlers to Dearfield arrived in 1911 and the first winter was difficult, but by 1920 the community was prospering, selling a variety of crops and running thriving industries. Jackson's plans to expand further were shattered by the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. In 1940 only twelve residents remained. Jackson stayed on, hoping to attract young black settlers and continue his dream.

Ruins, Dearfield Colony, Colorado Jackson died in Greeley, Colorado in 1945 at the age of 85. Dearfield became a ghost town. The last resident finally left in 1973. Despite being classified as endangered the site is under threat of development by ho… — **Ruins, Dearfield Colony, Colorado**
Jackson died in Greeley, Colorado in 1945 at the age of 85. Dearfield became a ghost town. The last resident finally left in 1973. Despite being classified as endangered the site is under threat of development by housing developers.