Last updated: January 8, 2025
Article
The Stagville Memorial Project (Durham, North Carolina)
African American Civil Rights Network
The Stagville Memorial Project in Durham, North Carolina seeks to bring lesser-known histories about formerly enslaved people at Stagville Plantation and their descendants to wider audiences through history exhibitions, programming, and public art.
Between 1771 and 1865, the Bennehan and Cameron families held between 3000 and 5000 African women, men, and children in forced labor on Stagville Plantation in Durham. At approximately 30,000 acres, or 47 square miles, Stagville was one of the largest plantations in the U.S. South. In partnership with community cultural institutions, the Stagville Memorial Project is working to uncover Stagville descendant stories through archival research. The Project has partnered with cultural institutions to develop an online history exhibit that explores the lives and contributions of Stagville descendants in Durham, from Reconstruction to the early 1900’s, and documents their fight for freedoms after emancipation. The Project has also sponsored events including a keynote address, panel discussion with descendants, and community mapping program.
The Stagville Memorial Project is also working towards establishing a large sculptural public art piece in a prominent gathering place in downtown Durham, North Carolina that honors Stagville Plantation’s descendants and their contributions towards civil rights.
The Stagville Memorial Project became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
The Stagville Memorial Project in Durham, North Carolina seeks to bring lesser-known histories about formerly enslaved people at Stagville Plantation and their descendants to wider audiences through history exhibitions, programming, and public art.
Between 1771 and 1865, the Bennehan and Cameron families held between 3000 and 5000 African women, men, and children in forced labor on Stagville Plantation in Durham. At approximately 30,000 acres, or 47 square miles, Stagville was one of the largest plantations in the U.S. South. In partnership with community cultural institutions, the Stagville Memorial Project is working to uncover Stagville descendant stories through archival research. The Project has partnered with cultural institutions to develop an online history exhibit that explores the lives and contributions of Stagville descendants in Durham, from Reconstruction to the early 1900’s, and documents their fight for freedoms after emancipation. The Project has also sponsored events including a keynote address, panel discussion with descendants, and community mapping program.
The Stagville Memorial Project is also working towards establishing a large sculptural public art piece in a prominent gathering place in downtown Durham, North Carolina that honors Stagville Plantation’s descendants and their contributions towards civil rights.
The Stagville Memorial Project became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.