Experience history in a meaningful way during Voices of the Past: A Slave Dwelling Project Weekend, a three-day event exploring the stories, resilience, and legacy of enslaved African Americans in the Fredericksburg and Stafford region. As one of Fredericksburg's signature America 250 commemorative events, this collaborative weekend brings together historic sites, museums, and community organizations for immersive programs that inspire learning, reflection, and conversation. The nationally recognized Slave Dwelling Project, founded by public historian Joseph McGill, Jr., serves as the centerpiece of the weekend. Since 2010, the project has worked to preserve former slave dwellings and ensure the lives and stories of the enslaved remain central to America's history. Weekend Schedule Friday, September 11 6:00 PM | Experience the Rhythm: An Interactive West African Drum & Dance Workshop Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont Kick off the weekend with the Kuumba Dance & Drum Ensemble during an interactive workshop celebrating the traditions of West African music and dance. Learn authentic rhythms, discover the cultural significance behind the music and movement, and join a community performance. No experience is necessary. ️ Free event. Advance reservation required. Saturday, September 12 10:00 AM | Joseph McGill Kickoff Event George Washington's Ferry Farm Hear Slave Dwelling Project founder Joseph McGill share the story behind the project and its mission to preserve sites connected to slavery while honoring the lives of those who lived there. ️ Ticket required. Advance purchase recommended. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Historic Brickmaking Demonstrations James Monroe Museum Watch traditional brickmaking techniques demonstrated throughout the day in the museum courtyard. Free. RSVP encouraged. 11:30 AM | Traditional Cooking Demonstration Mary Washington House Experience an eighteenth-century hearth cooking demonstration while learning about the skilled labor and culinary traditions of enslaved cooks who shaped colonial foodways. Free. RSVP encouraged. 1:30 PM | A Slave No More Falmouth Beach A moving riverside ceremony honoring those who self-emancipated in 1862, featuring descendants, a libation ceremony, and readings from John Washington's account of his journey to freedom. Free. Shuttle service available. 3:00 PM | Avenues to Freedom Chatham Living history demonstrations featuring historic laundry techniques, the story of Ellen Mitchell, and the 23rd United States Colored Troops. Family-friendly programming continues throughout the day. Free. Shuttle service available. 6:30 PM | African American Spirituals & Foodways St. George's Episcopal Church Enjoy an evening of traditional African American spirituals followed by a reception and presentation on African American foodways with food historian Michael Carter Jr. ️ Ticket required. Advance purchase recommended. 8:00 PM | Stories of Freedom Moncure Conway House Hear the remarkable story of Eliza Gwinn's escape to freedom and her life afterward in this outdoor storytelling program. Please bring a chair. Free. RSVP encouraged. Overnight | Sleeping with the Ancestors Moncure Conway House Yard Join Joseph McGill for one of the Slave Dwelling Project's signature overnight experiences with primitive camping on the site where enslaved people once lived and worked. Participants provide their own camping equipment. ️ Advance ticket purchase required. Space is limited. Sunday, September 13 4:00 PM | The History Lesson Fredericksburg Area Museum Written by local playwright Malanna Henderson, The History Lesson follows Hattie Rose, a young enslaved woman who secretly learns to read and write while navigating the risks, relationships, and hope that education represented before the Civil War. ️ Ticket required. Advance purchase recommended. Plan Your Weekend Many programs are free, while several specialty experiences require advance tickets due to limited capacity. ️ View the complete schedule and reserve tickets at SlaveDwellingProjectFXBG.com