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Shaping our Destiny - Williamsburg program on the African American pursuit of liberty
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Brothers in Arms - Shaping our Destiny Photo / Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
The lives of the African Americans in Virginia during Colonial times are getting increased attention from Colonial Williamsburg, which is offering a series of programs about the extremely difficult and uncertain lives of these people.
While we are now able to read and learn more about the lives of enslaved African Americans, there were others who were free. The special weekend programs are designed “to explore options available to African Americans of the period, including military service, petitioning, active and passive resistance, and seizing personal autonomy.” There were few choices for them to make, but the ones they did make were crucial to their future, that of their families, and others of African descent.
“The walking tour, ‘In Their Own Words’ provides insight into the struggle to be both free and equal. ‘Brothers in Arms’ explores the camp life of African American soldiers. Free black woman, Edith Cumbo, reveals healing traditions of herbal medicine, superstition and religion.”
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation was established in 1926 as a town-sized living history museum, with restored buildings, and men and women showing the activities of work and leisure in Colonial Times. For the last 30 years they have been providing programs to tell the lives of the African Americans who were part of that life.
The program, called "Shaping Our Destiny: The African American Pursuit of Liberty,” will take place on the weekend of November 14-15, 2009, as part of the Colonial Williamsburg admission.
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