Black History month: slavery and slave places in Fredericksburg

We currently live in a VERY historic city.

Virginia was the site of the first US settlement known as Jamestown. It was one of the original thirteen colonies and home to four of the first five US Presidents.

One day I took the youngest Williams family member to the park to swing and have some fun. He and I climbed a hill at the park. There was a large rock on the side of the hill. We decided to explore the rock. The rock had a plaque. The plaque explained that this rock is where Mary Washington would go to pray for her son George Washington when he was in war.

Yeah, that George Washington.

I've never happened upon something with that kind of historic significance before. We live near George Washington's childhood home - which is still a local landmark. If you remember, Kenyon and I did a tour of his adult home a few years back (a short drive down the highway). Click here to read that story.

This post isn't about George Washington or the colonization of America. No, this is about a time a bit later in our history. The civil war.

The city we currently live in has a historic downtown with many old buildings. When I say "old" I mean old, old (by American standards), dating back to the late 1600 to early 1700's. There are historic trolley tours offered by the visitors center. We took a guided tour on a recent Saturday.

The topic was slavery and slave places in Fredericksburg. Wow, it was eye opening! Through the years of visiting and in recent months I have been down these streets many times. The tour brought a whole new perspective. For instance on a familiar corner is this odd stone piece.

I wondered once why that stone was sticking out there? Then I moved along my merry way. I was told on the tour that this was the former site for city slave auctions. They would put a chained man on the top of the stone so the crowd could see him, then sell him off to the highest bidder. I will never look at that corner the same again...never.

The story of Roots was based in Spotsylvania county, which is our neighbor. In fact it is so close that we eat there often. Just last night we had dinner at a restaurant in the area.

Other interesting tidbits is that one of the local banks located downtown was also a bank during civil war days, and is the only building in our town that Abraham Lincoln is known to have visited. Yes, that Abraham Lincoln.

The most powerful part of the tour was the end standing on the edge of the Rappahannock River. As we looked at the water flowing past us we were told the story of freedom. The Union soldiers called out to the slaves to cross the river...and they did...by the hundreds. Two of them later wrote autobiographies of their life, the most famous is called A Slave No More by John Washington. We visited his childhood home and many stories on the tour were told through his experience.

just Sheri, awed by the story of freedom in my neighborhood

driving tips

It's official. I am the older generation. How do I know? Well, if the grey hairs aren't enough to remind me...it is clear in the conversations I have with teenagers lately.

One example is driving. In the house we are living in there is a new teenage driver. In my day we were told to hold the wheel at 10 and 2 for better control when steering. Now they hold it at the bottom. As she describes it "like a thug." Why? Well, it isn't just for looks. I am told it is a safety reason, in case the air bags deploy.

I guess I learned to drive before the advent of the airbag. Apparently that makes me old.

just Sheri, not as young as I used to be

review of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

I am NOT an artist, but I am an art enthusiast. For years I have wished that I could create colorful works of beauty, but alas, that is not my gifting...no matter how hard I wish for it. However, I still love to view works of art and attend performing art events.

One of the things Kenyon and I missed in recent years was the wide availability of art. He proposed to me in the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. In our courting days and early marriage we spent many date nights at a theater event or art show (in Kansas City there are many, as well as in my home town of Santa Fe).

Now that we are back in the US and have a few major metropolises in our vicinity - we are going to take advantage of the amenities available to us (and the time unemployment has afforded us).

Recently we toured the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

There is a sculpture garden, all sorts of paintings and even furniture. The museum had some of the prettiest stained glass windows I've seen up close. We spent a leisurely afternoon wandering the exhibits, picking our favorites, reading about the artists and giving our versions of what statement the art is trying to make. The variety of art is quite unique and because this state was an original colony and a battlefield site during the civil war there are also some unique pieces related to American history.

The best part...admission is FREE.

If you are looking for something to do in the Richmond, VA area. We recommend the Fine Art museum.

just Sheri, appreciative of the arts

Quoteable Quotes: living gratitude

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget  that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th US President

gratefully employed

Well, my job search strategy resulted in a job offer. Hooray!

Today I will attend orientation for my new job and next Monday I will officially begin employment.

I feel blessed to be offered the position. Though the past few months felt like an eternity to us, I know many others who have struggled with unemployment for a much longer period.

This will be a new career for me. I am looking forward to the challenge. I have spent the past several years seeking money to help people in need. Now, I get to be on the decision end as a grant maker. My purpose is still the same - helping the underserved.

A few, short months ago I was asked about what I wanted as a next step in my career. My answer was "something focused in the health sector and a position that allows me to prioritize my family." I believe this new position offers both...and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Frankly, when I was younger and dreaming about the possibilities for my future - I didn't even know a job like this existed. I will get paid to give away money. Seriously. I know it isn't going to be easy as there are many organizations struggling in these difficult financial times and resources are never enough to meet the demand. I have been warned that "friends" will come out of the woodwork, being nice because of my position. I will approach these challenges as I have so many others in life...seeking wisdom and knowing that I am here by the grace of God.

just Sheri, no longer a job seeker