Monuments and Slavery in Washington's Philadelphia

Thanks to Ann Bartow for pointing out this story on a passage-way that archeologists have found during excavation of George Washington's house in Philadelphia.  They speculate that slaves used it to enter the house.  As the AP story reports:

The underground passageway is just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It was designed so Washington's guests would not see slaves as they slipped in and out of the main house.

There's a controversy (or at least discussion) about what to do with this new find--fill it in or preserve it:

The findings have created a quandary for National Park Service and city officials planning an exhibit at the house. They are now trying to decide whether to incorporate the remains into the exhibit or go forward with plans to fill in the ruins and build an abstract display about life in the house.

This is the second time this year we've spoken about property-related issues and slavery in Philadelphia.

Much more on the house is available here.

Al Brophy

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