Held At the Jubilee Family Center in Lynchburg, VA

Join the Poplar Forest African American Advisory Group at the Jubilee Family Center (1512 Florida Avenue in Lynchburg) for the third annual African American Family History Day presented by Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Come see artifacts from Poplar Forest on display and attend sessions by genealogists as we delve into the process of exploring African American heritage and ancestry. A kid’s corner featuring crafts and activities will also be available. Admission is free, with lunch provided, but reservations are required as space is limited. 

Schedule of Events:

10:15 a.m.: Welcome from Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, the Poplar Forest African American Advisory Group, and Jubilee Family Development Center

10:30 a.m.: Researching Enslaved Ancestors

The presenter shares and models best practice and methodology for researching formerly enslaved ancestors. Participants learn about helpful record types and web sites and how to extract data about the enslaved from records of slave-owning communities.

11:30 a.m.:  Artifacts and Histories of the Enslaved Community at Poplar Forest

See artifacts from Poplar Forest and ask questions of Dr. Eric Proebsting, Poplar Forest Director of Archaeology and Landscapes and Karen McIlvoy, Poplar Forest Archaeology Laboratory Analyst. This is a free-flow session where attendees can get up close and personal to objects and have conversations with Poplar Forest staff and each other.

12:15 p.m.: Lunch catered by E’Vince Catering (provided free of charge to all attendees)

1:00 p.m. Finding Calvin: Following My Enslaved Ancestor through Multiple Owners: A Case Study

In this presentation, the researcher models the process used in verifying an ancestor’s slavery status, and shares the methodology and documents used to document his owners during 25 years of enslavement.

Ongoing: Children’s activities with Kathy Kramer, Hands-on-History Program Coordinator

Registration is now closed. Thanks for your interest!