WHAT PRICE FREEDOM? A One-Man Play about Prosser's GABRIEL Free performances in Joseph Bryan Park Fridays, Oct 1st, 8th & 15th, 6:30pm

 

Bettye J. Thornton, Timothy L. Harris, Frank Thornton, and Derome Scott-Smith

WHAT PRICE FREEDOM?
 

A One-Man Play about
Prosser's GABRIEL
 

free performances
in Joseph Bryan Park

Fridays, Oct 1st, 8th & 15th, 6:30pm

In the late 1700s, Gabriel was a slave in Henrico County. During the summer of 1800, he and other leaders planned a slave uprising in Bryan Park, which was to capture Governor James Monroe, the City arsenal, and burn Rocketts Landing. Their plans were foiled by a rainstorm and untimely delay.

Later that Fall, Gabriel was captured and imprisoned. This monologue, written by Derome Scott-Smith, founder of Richmond’s African American Repertory Theater, recreates Gabriel's last days, meditates on his desire for freedom, his indignation at the injustice of slavery, the planning of his bold rebellion, and his thoughts about his impending execution.

Richmond actor Timothy L Harris (BigManBigVoice) brings Gabriel to life .

Performances will be outdoors beside the tennis courts near Picnic Shelter #1. Signs in the Park will direct visitors to parking. The public is advised to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. In case of inclement weather, performances will be postponed.

For more information, call 646-5733 or visit: wwwfriendsofbryanpark.org
 

These Productions generously supported by the

County of Henrico Board of Supervisors and the City of Richmond City Council.
 

Special thanks to Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton,
City Councilman Chris Hilbert (3rd District) and
City Councilman Marty Jewell (5th District)

Resources on Slavery in Richmond, Virginia

WHAT PRICE FREEDOM? A One-Man Play about Prosser's GABRIEL, Joseph Bryan Park, Oct. 1, 8, and 15, 2010.

[Image of marker in Hanover County, click here for more info. about the marker]

Joseph Bryan Park Centennial Celebration
 

WHAT PRICE FREEDOM?
 

A One-Man Play about
Prosser's GABRIEL
 

free performances
in Joseph Bryan Park

Fridays, Oct 1st, 8th & 15th, 6:30pm

In the late 1700s, Gabriel was a slave in Henrico County. During the summer of 1800, he and other leaders planned a slave uprising in Bryan Park, which was to capture Governor James Monroe, the City arsenal, and burn Rocketts Landing. Their plans were foiled by a rainstorm and untimely delay.

Later that Fall, Gabriel was captured and imprisoned. This monologue, written by Derome Scott-Smith, founder of Richmond’s African American Repertory Theater, recreates Gabriel's last days, meditates on his desire for freedom, his indignation at the injustice of slavery, the planning of his bold rebellion, and his thoughts about his impending execution.

Richmond actor Timothy L Harris (BigManBigVoice) brings Gabriel to life .

Performances will be outdoors beside the tennis courts near Picnic Shelter #1. Signs in the Park will direct visitors to parking. The public is advised to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. In case of inclement weather, performances will be postponed.

For more information, call 646-5733 or visit: wwwfriendsofbryanpark.org
 

These Productions generously supported by the

County of Henrico Board of Supervisors and the City of Richmond City Council.
 

Special thanks to Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton,
City Councilman Chris Hilbert (3rd District) and
City Councilman Marty Jewell (5th District)

Resources on Slavery in Richmond, Virginia

"Meet Me in the Bottom" - Documentary about the "Negro Burial Ground" in Richmond, to be broadcast May 25th and June 29th, WVCW (Comcast Channel #24)

"Meet Me in the Bottom" -- a documentary about the Burial Ground for People of African decent (ca. 1750-1816)  located north of Broad Street, between 15th and 16th Streets -- will be broadcast Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 9:00 pm -10:00 pm  and Tuesday, June 29, 2010  at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm  in Richmond on WCVW (Channel 24 for local Comcast Richmond customers). 

The burial site is the oldest municipal cemetery for enslaved and free Blacks known to exist in the Richmond area.  An 1810 map shows the Negro Burial Ground near Broad Street and Shockoe Creek.  Today, the Burial Ground sits adjacent to a parking lot owned by VCU.  In fact, there are questions as to whether the Burial Ground lies beneath the parking lot. Activists and other groups have protested what is seen by many as a desecration of sacred ground. This documentary tells the story of community efforts aimed at reclaiming the Burial Ground as the final resting place of their ancestors.

The film won the Best Documentary category and the Audience Choice Award at the Virginia Independent Film Festival and has just been accepted for screening at the South Film Festival in Leigh, PA.  To purchase the DVD, visit burnbabyburnproductions.com    The documentary was created by Dr. Shawn O. Utsey, Chair, Department of African American Studies

Style Weekly Magazine, 4/28/2010, "Breaking the Chains" - While Virginia prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of its secession from the union, Richmond searches for how best to tell a most difficult story: its role in the domestic slave trade.

Slave Trade as a Commercial Enterprise in Richmond, Virginia - National Register of Historic Places and the Johannas Design Group, April 2007. 

Burial Ground for Negroes, Richmond, Virginia: Validation and Assessment Research Summary - A 16-page report prepared by the Department of Historic Resources, June 25, 2008. 

Preliminary Archaeological Investigation of the Lumpkin's Jail Site (44HE1053), Richmond, Virginia - Prepared For the City of Richmond by Matthew R. Laird, Ph.D., James River Institute for Archaeology, Inc., Williamsburg, Virginia, May 2006

- Ray B.

Resources on Slavery in Richmond, Virginia (A VCU Libraries web site)

A (semi) new site on Resources on Slavery in Richmond, Virginia was created by VCU Libraries' Special Collections and Archives. Please visit the site and let them know what you think of it - what other resources can be added to this site? Email: libjbcsca@vcu.edu
 

Style Weekly Magazine, 4/28/2010, "Breaking the Chains" - While Virginia prepares to mark the 150th anniversary of its secession from the union, Richmond searches for how best to tell a most difficult story: its role in the domestic slave trade.

Slave Trade as a Commercial Enterprise in Richmond, Virginia - National Register of Historic Places and the Johannas Design Group, April 2007. 

Burial Ground for Negroes, Richmond, Virginia: Validation and Assessment Research Summary - A 16-page report prepared by the Department of Historic Resources, June 25, 2008. 

Preliminary Archaeological Investigation of the Lumpkin's Jail Site (44HE1053), Richmond, Virginia - Prepared For the City of Richmond by Matthew R. Laird, Ph.D., James River Institute for Archaeology, Inc., Williamsburg, Virginia, May 2006

- Ray B.