The Slave Dwelling Project Fireside Program & Sleep Over

Celebrating Our Ancestors is a multi-day public event designed to share the history of enslaved people in Pensacola and celebrate the many important contributions they made to create this city and its unique culture. Celebrating Our Ancestors will begin with a book talk with Joseph McGill, Jr. Founder and Executive Director of the Slave Dwelling Project, and Herb Frazier about their book Sleeping with the Ancestors: How I Followed the Footprints of Slavery. Immediately following the book talk, will be the Fireside Program & Sleep Over led by Joseph McGill, Jr.

About the Fireside Program & Sleep Over

The Fireside Program & Sleep Over is the signature program of The Slave Dwelling Project. Participants are invited to join Joseph McGill, Jr and other members of the Slave Dwelling Project, along with historians, archaeologists, and heritage professionals from across Northwest Florida in a fireside conversation about the history of slavery. This will be an opportunity to build on the conversation begun during the Sleeping with the Ancestors book talk, by discussing the history of slavery in Northwest Florida, particularly Pensacola, and the impacts of the institution locally. Members of the public are encouraged to be active participants in this conversation, not only by asking questions, but sharing their own ideas and experiences.  Following the fireside conversation, participants are invited to stay the night in the Historic Pensacola Village.

Sites Connected to Slavery in the Historic Pensacola Village

The Fireside Program & Sleep Over will be held in the UWF Historic Trust’s Historic Pensacola Village, particularly in and around the Lavalle House.  Built in 1805, the Lavalle House is best know as being the oldest standing example of French Creole Cottage construction Pensacola. However, what is less known, is that enslaved carpenters and masons, including Garcon, Alexis, Prince, and Abraham built this house and were responsible for the unique features which helped it survive for over 200 years.  These men are just a few of the enslaved people that would have worked or lived in Pensacola. In fact, throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries approximately one third of Pensacola’s population was enslaved.

Today, the Lavalle House stands in the Historic Pensacola Village sharing a yard space with the Julee cottage. Build around 1805, the Julee Cottage is named for one of its earliest owners, Julee Panton, a free woman of color. While both buildings were moved to this location during the 20th century, they embody the presence of both free and enslaved Blacks in Pensacola.

About The Slave Dwelling Project

The Slave Dwelling Project envisions a future in which the hearts and minds of Americans acknowledge a more truthful and inclusive narrative of the history of the nation that honors the contributions of all our people, is embedded and preserved in the buildings and artifacts of people of African heritage, and inspires all Americans to acknowledge their Ancestors.

The Slave Dwelling Project was founded by Joseph McGill, Jr. Mr. McGill is a Civil War re-enactor and descendant of the enslaved. He has lead programs at over 90 historic locations in  over 18 states with diverse audiences.

Learn more about The Slave Dwelling Project here!

“Now that I have the attention of the public by sleeping in extant slave dwellings, it is time to wake up and deliver the message that the people who lived in these structures were not a footnote in American history.” -Joseph McGill, Jr. Founder of the Slave Dwelling Project

Event Details

The Fireside Program & Sleep Over will follow the Sleeping with the Ancestors book talk in Museum of Commerce.

The Fireside Program & Sleep Over will begin at 8:00 pm in the Historic Pensacola Village. It will begin with a fireside conversation, where participants are invited to join in the discussion about the history of slavery in Pensacola and across the United States. Following the conversations participants are invited to stay the night in the Historic Pensacola Village. Space within the historic structures is limited, so participants are encourage to bring tents.  All sleep over participants will need to provide their own sleeping bags, pillows, or other gear they will need for the evening. Additional details and recommended gear will be sent to registered participants.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is REQUIRED. This program is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Registration