Hermitage Slave Quarters

01

Artifact Overview

Enslaved African Americans built and lived in these brick quarters on the Hermitage Plantation, located just north of the city of Savannah in a rice-growing region. Owned by Henry McAlpin, in 1850 this prosperous plantation had 200 enslaved workers who lived in about 50 similar buildings. These enslaved workers cultivated rice, and manufactured bricks, rice barrels, cast iron products, and lumber.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Cabin (House)

Date Made

circa 1820

Subject Date

circa 1820

Creator Notes

Originally built, circa 1820, on Henry McAlpin's Plantation near Savannah, Georgia.

Location

at Greenfield Village in Porches and Parlors District

Object ID

34.779.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brick (Clay material)
Pine (Wood)
Cedar (Wood)

Technique

Building construction

Dimensions

Height: 12 ft
Width: 16.2 ft
Length: 16.2 ft

Hermitage Slave Quarters