Marking the Richmond Slave Trail

Richmond has finally marked the 2.5 mile Slave Trail that tells the story of slavery and its consequences in Richmond and the U.S. with 17 handsome and instructive markers that make the journey well worth it now, even without a guide.

The trail begins South of the river just west of Ancarrow’s Landing

As a Friend of James River Park, where the trail begins, I was with Ralph White, James River Park System park manager, to help unveil the second marker near the old Manchester Docks where Africans centuries ago disembarked from slave ships to find more misery in Virginia.  Later hundreds of thousands were shipped from Richmond, “sold down the river,” when Virginia had excess enslaved peoples the states in the deep South wanted. A small group of us read the litany with him, promising to remember those who had passed through here, denied their dignity and rights, and acknowledge their strength, survival skills, and stories and those of their descendants.

Later at the big ceremony at the Lumpkin’s Slave Jail site, where Governor McDonnell, Mayor Jones, Congressman Scott, Delegate and Slave Trail Commission Chair Delores McQuinn and many other dignitaries spoke to a crowd of nearly 1000 people of all ages and complexions, I teared up several times. Once when Claude Perkins, president of Virginia Union University, which rose from an earlier incarnation of a school for free blacks on the same site where the notorious slave jail had been, asked everyone in the audience who ever attended VUU to stand up. Such a proud moment. Goosebumps. I could feel the connections over the centuries vibrating in the air. I’m getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. It made it clear that the trail is much longer than two and a half miles and it commemorates much more than slavery.

Just a small part of the assembled crowd

When the One Voice Chorus sang a spiritual and James Weldon Johnson’s Lift Every Voice and Sing, and I saw so many people singing along, that got me, too, and then when the Mayor let it rip with his Sunday best, I was about ready to sign up for church again.

It was nice to see Del. McQuinn lauded for her tireless work to get this thing going. I wouldn’t bet against her when it comes to future plans she hinted at. Thank goodness one of the last speakers recognized Ralph White, Nathan Burrell, and Peter Bruce for all the work they’ve put in to taking care of the Slave Trail for 18 years with approximately no budget.

Peter Bruce and his helpers have done so much for so long.

Cricket and Ralph White were instrumental in making the trail whole.

They were a huge part of the group who turned what looked like nothing into one of the best somethings Richmond has to offer. I wish that everyone who ever sets foot in Richmond walks this trail. And remember, it’s bad form to complain about ANYTHING on the trail. Elegba Folklore Society’s torchlit trail walk will be June 18th this year. Put it on your calendar.

Richmond Slave Trail Walk

One of the most worthwhile walks you’ll ever take is best done with a guide.  I’ve walked the walk twice now–the first time with a small group of folks on a cold, gray Saturday in February a few years ago with a James River Park System guide and more recently on a hot June night as a part of Elegba Folklore Society\’s Juneteenth celebration with 300 other people. Both walks were moving and enlightening, yet remarkably different experiences given the weather, numbers of people, and the bells and whistles (or rather drums and dances) that Elegba brought to the event.

Elegba Folklore Society during Juneteenth

My park-led tour was intimate and somber as it was a small group. After an introduction we walked a section in silence, arms outstretched, hands on the shoulders of the person ahead in a symbolic linking of the chains that bound enslaved people walking to and from the slave markets in Shockoe Bottom. Though enslaved people were initially brought here from Africa, Richmond’s slave trade peaked after the banning of the international slave trade. By then Virginia had excess enslaved people and the Deep South wanted them, so Richmond became the hub of the interstate slave trade.  Those of us on the tour had ample opportunity to ask our guide questions and ponder how unsatisfactorily our city and country have grappled with this all too hidden history.

Drumming and dancing and living history were dynamic additions to the torchlit slave trail walk that was the culmination of  the Juneteenth celebration and led by the eloquent Janine Bell.

Starting out at dusk.

With so many people, q and a was understandably not available, but the dramatic sight of the torches bobbing ahead and across the Mayo Bridge and the sounds of children asking their parents questions added poignancy and energy. When we stopped at the Canal Walk, people filled the large staircase and the plaza below to listen to more fantastic drumming and watch exuberant dancing and re-enactments. I’ve never seen the Canal Walk so alive.

Now this walk on July 24th won’t feature the drumming and dancing, but it will still be dramatic. Ralph ‘s rumbling voice and the torches will illuminate what’s been hidden too long. If you can’t make it then, at least take a look at the Richmond Slave Trail Guide which is essential for taking this walk along and across the river, starting at Manchester Docks at Ancarrow’s Landing at the end of Maury Street just south and east of downtown. More signs are due along the trail, but when the chance comes for a guided tour, take it.

Best Richmond Bike Ride My Husband Won’t Do

I swear I thought of this topic on our last vacation, before the guy broke his ankle badly, tore the ligaments and dislocated the bejeezus out of everything. I had a whole series of articles planned–perhaps even books–Best Cities My Husband Won’t Go To, Best Art Galleries He Won’t Visit, etc. I’d write Best Sofas for Watching World Cup and the Tour de France, but there’s only one–in fact–only one spot on one sofa that rates the highest marks.

I have actual sympathy for his current state, I really do. I have absolute faith that he will return to fine bike-riding form. I also know that he will still think the following bike ride is nuts. 

I like to head west in Westover Hills and Woodland Heights along Riverside Drive to sneak into Manchester and go where it looks like no one should go–past Legend Brewing through the old warehouse and factory district on bumpy roads with the occasional old railroad track to cross and then cut across Hull Street and go north, close to Caravati\’s, the architectural salvage mecca, taking any number of  numbered streets to Maury St. where the oil storage tanks live. Go left through the desolate landscape where it looks like human beings have no business and continue up and over more railroad tracks under I-95 past the city’s sewage treatment plant and swing left into Ancarrow’s Landing and Manchester Docks. It’s exciting riding through what should be a movie set hoping you don’t get a flat tire on the torn up roads. I like a city with some grit to it. If you prefer fake stuff, go to Hilton Head, SC where the gas stations are concealed behind frippery.

Boaters and fisherfolk know Ancarrow’s Landing, and those who have done the somber and moving Richmond Slave Trail walk (which you can do 8:30 p.m. July 24th in a guided, torchlit walk led by Ralph White. Cost is $5. Call(804) 646-8911 to register), but most people never make it to this spot along the river.  It’s real Richmond. More about the Slave Trail in my next post.  At any rate, head back the way you came or take a right on Hull St. and head over the Mayo Bridge into Shockoe Slip and Bottom.  Empty on Sunday mornings.  Head west to the Manchester Bridge or further west to the Lee or Boulevard bridges–all depends if you want to be north or south for most of the return. It’s a more peaceful ride on a weekend than is necessarily good for a city that should have more people doing things downtown, but take the open road when you can get it.