Archaeologists found the remains of three cabins at the c. 1790-1812 Quarter Site. The first building they discovered was the largest, measuring 15' x 25', and was divided into two equal-sized rooms. It may have housed members of an extended family, or had separate families living in each room.  Each room contained at least one "root cellar," or storage pit.

The two additional structures were smaller in size.  One measured 13 feet square, the other was poorly preserved, but appears to have been about 181/2 feet square.  Artifacts show that a variety of tasks occurred at this quarter, including sewing, cooking, handicrafts, gardening and the raising of chickens and ducks for meat and eggs.  The remains of a garden were found behind one of the cabins, and several fences, marking enclosed work yards, ran along the front of the buildings.

A "ghost" building replicating the location and size of the largest slave cabin helps visitors visualize what archaeologists have discovered.  Signs at the structure describe the documentary history of the slave community at Poplar Forest and the aspects of private life revealed by archaeologists working at this site.  In addition, former Director of Archaeology and Landscapes, Dr. Barbara Heath, published a book, "Hidden Lives", which details the private lives of the members of this enslaved community.