Update: Slave Quarter Restoration

We are proud to announce that the restoration of the slave quarters is finally complete.  A lime wash was applied, shutters have been installed, and staging put in place.  All three are important to the authenticity of the space.  The shutters, lime wash, and staging are the final touches that now allow visitors to look on the slave quarters as they were in 1859.

The shutters tie the slave quarters to the house architecturally and exemplify the cohesive themes that are evident throughout the property.  The aesthetic touch on the slave dwelling is of course not for its residents’ benefit but for the family in the big house who would view the structure daily from across the yard.  The lime wash bore both utility and a visually pleasing aesthetic.  When dried the wash would give the slave quarters a light pink coloring that would fade over time to a peach hue.  The function of the lime wash was to protect the brick and mortar from wind and water, which would otherwise erode the structure more quickly.  With the outside of the house now looking as it did the day it was completed, around 156 years ago, the interior needed its last couple of touches in order to provide the same authenticity.  With the plaster and wood restorations complete in the downstairs the upstairs rooms were feeling a bit empty.  In order to remedy this, staging was done; palate beds and other items were put into place.

The pictures accompanying this story will give an idea of the changes I have attempted to convey.  To get the full experience come on down and visit the newly completed slave quarters yourself.  They are part of our guided tours and are open for self-guided tours as well during our regular hours.