Slave quarters on Mulberry Row Monticello

plaque @ monticello slave labor

archaeology of site shows rooms of slave cabins larger in 1770s in 1790s. researchers disagree whether indicates more slaves crowded smaller spaces, or fewer people lived in smaller spaces. earlier slave houses had two-room plan, 1 family per room, single, shared doorway outside. 1790s on, rooms/families had independent doorways. of cabins free-standing, single-room structures.

by time of jefferson s death, slave families had labored , lived 4 generations @ monticello. 6 families , descendants featured in exhibit, slavery @ jefferson s monticello: paradox of liberty (january october 2012) @ smithsonian s national museum of american history, examines jefferson slaveholder. developed collaboration between national museum of african american history , culture , monticello, first exhibit on national mall address these issues.

in february 2012, monticello opened new outdoor exhibit on grounds: landscape of slavery: mulberry row @ monticello, convey more lives of hundreds of slaves lived , worked @ plantation.