Historic Stagville

Unchained Memories:  Readings from the Slave Narratives

Suitable for grades 9-12

Time:  30 minutes

Fee:  None

Student Limit:  60

In this activity, teachers select from several topics that they want students to learn about: enslaved children, domestic slaves, rape by the plantation owner, punishment, death, music, living conditions, religion, courtship and marriage, slave auctions, resistance to slavery, the Civil War and freedom. 

Students will watch portions of the HBO documentary Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives, a film that features famous African Americans reading from the WPA slave narratives of the 1930s.  A museum educator will explain the WPA project prior to the students watching the film and lead a discussion afterward.

Promotional cover for Unchained Memories, HBO