Serving as the “White House” from 1790 to 1800 when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States, this archaeological and commemorative site also uncovered the darkest history of America’s White House due to the slavery that was practised by George Washington.
Although Washington was not a harsh slave owner by the standards of the time, he however, practiced the biggest contradiction with the freedoms of the new nation.
As President, he shuttled his slaves between his Philadelphia residence and Virginia estate to evade a law that freed any slave residing in Pennsylvania for six months.
Luckily, archaeology at this house site in 2007 uncovered a story that was thought to be buried both literally and figuratively.
Besides presenting about the slavery in the President’s House, the site also displays articles and videos discussing slavery in general …
… the slaves’ escape, and also how they became free through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Although the site contains a dark past of the nation, at least today, it has been transformed into a space that honours the live of those enslaved.
I guess, the ironic thing about this site was that the President had a practise that contradicts with the freedom he fought for, right in front of the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
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