Searching for Slabtown: The History and Archaeology of Hampton’s Grand Contraband Camp

Dr. Matthew R. Laird, Partner & Senior Researcher of the James River Institute for Archaeology, Inc., presents the archaeological findings from the survey of the community that evolved in the ruins of Hampton after it was abandoned by residents following secession from the Union in 1861.
Through mapping, research, and careful excavation in coordination with the City of Hampton, the team located the camp in present-day downtown Hampton. Laird will talk about the discoveries, successes, and challenges in analyzing the artifacts and interpreting the evidence of contraband camps as a window into the past. Read more: tinyurl.com/cj...
This virtual talk is part of "Fort Monroe Contraband Decision, and the Legacy of Freedom Seekers," virtual events presented in conjunction with the Fort Monroe National Monument/National Park Service www.nps.gov/fo..., Fort Monroe Authority fortmonroe.org/, Contraband Historical Society contrabandhist..., and Hampton History Museum www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org in remembrance of the agency exhibited by Frank Baker, James Townsend, and Shepard Mallory in securing their freedom and serving as a catalyst to the tens of thousands who followed finding refuge behind Union lines during the American Civil War. Read more: tinyurl.com/m8...
Image: Stereoscope photo of the Grand Contraband Camp, 1864. Library of Congress
Hampton History Museum
120 Old Hampton Lane
Hampton, VA 23669
757-727-1102
hampton.gov/11...

[@charlesfcopeland9756]

My grandfather spoke about this. He related things he knew that my Great grandfather had told him. Grandfather also had discovered secrets about this when he worked at Ft. MONROE during the 1920s.

[@latishabradley6972]

I can't believe there's not more views and comments .. But I thought that slabtown was between the town of Shenandoah and Newport another little town all in Page County Virginia ? I'm extremely curious and I also am a Independent Researcher myself. I'm currently reading about the Flood of 1870 in Virginia and how rapidly the water rose catching the people off guard. How that is , is simply amazing, due to the fact that the ones living besides the Shenandoah River and it's Tributaries would have seen something of the nature of the water rising or a ying strange I would think. There's so much needed documentation these days to set the records straight about our history. The TRUTH must be told. Thank You