Last winter my family went to visit the Van Courtlandt House in the Bronx. We were the only visitors on a drizzly December afternoon; we were fortunate to have an informed and generous guide. My seven-year-old twins and I have seen many historical houses in New York City, following in the tradition that my parents set for my brother and myself when we were children.
While walking through the Van Courtlandt property my family and our guide talked about the practical aspects of running a household in the 1700’s. I asked our guide about the enslaved people held by the Van Cortlandts. My son asked to be shown the slave quarters. Our guide graciously complied, despite the fact that the slave quarters were not officially part of the tour.
Standing in the slave quarters was an invaluable learning experience. It spoke to an aspect of American history that my white children are aware of, but cannot yet grasp the magnitude of. The experience achieved the intended lesson of historical restorations- it immersed them in the reality of the time-period, and it opened their eyes to history.
My children and I have visited twelve NYC homes that are part of the Historic House Trust; five existed during the time-period slavery was legal in New York State. To the best of my knowledge, none of the homes that are part of the Historic House Trust have restored the slave quarters. There isn’t even a mention of slavery. It’s as if slavery didn’t happen, that this part of our history didn’t happen. When my children and I have asked the guides about the slave quarters they have responded sotto voce, and have told us in their hushed tones that those areas have been made into offices, or caretakers apartments, or storage rooms.
480,000 New York City school children see the Historic Houses on the register every year. I will guess that nearly 240,000 are black. What do those children feel walking through the historic homes? How do they imagine their place in history? What part did their ancestors play? Weren’t their lives and stories significant?
On the website for the Historic Homes, the Educational tab states the following: “Students focus on a specific place and how it has changed over time. They discover how families lived and worked in earlier days; trace the growth and development of their own and other communities.” This is an excellent mission, but to exclude a discussion and visible presence of the slaves that ran the homes is woefully lacking in fulfilling that mission.
The minutes my family spent in the slave quarters made a profound impression on my children and myself. It wasn’t the impeccable restoration work throughout the rest of the house, not the antiques, wainscoting and period reproduction wallpaper – despite their beauty and workmanship. It was the 5 x 10 foot room that was little more than an animal stall located at the top floor of the house through a door in the children’s room.
It is my hope that the Historic Trust incorporates the experiences of slaves into their tours by restoring the slave quarters and presenting a more inclusive and historically accurate view of these homes. I’ve written them and asked that they consider this possibility.
In the words of Marcus Tullius Cicero, “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?”
Shawn Lewis has lived in Brooklyn for the past 25 years. She initially moved to Ft. Green while attending art school in the early 90’s. Shawn purchased a brownstone in Bed Sty with her Mother and Brother 15 years ago, and is raising her twin 8 year olds as a single mom in their home. She is the executive director of The Actors Studio Drama School Rep, and full-time faculty for The Actors Studio Drama School. She is also a proud P.S. 11 parent.
