Photo gallery
Come, Walk In Freedom's Steps!
1619-2019 Africans in America Commemoration
400th anniversary of four pivotal happenings in English North America’s Virginia colony: the landing of the first Africans. The First African Landing occurred at Point Comfort in 1619, present site of national monument Fort Monroe in present-day Hampton, Virginia. Three days of events to commemorate the journey. [Complete Slideshow and Videos]
"Escape to Freedom" 2019 Commemoration
Fantastic performances by all! Special thanks to Steve Wilson (Brooks contraband descentant). This commemoration was a tribute to the first contrabands, Baker, Townsend, Mallory, and General Butler who provided a way to freedom. [Complete Slideshow and Videos]
157th "Contraband Decision" Commemoration
The “Contraband Decision” occurred nearly two years before President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and four years before the Thirteenth Amendment abolished all slavery in the United States. [2018]
The Contraband Descendants Connection
Contraband descendants and friends, were invited to join the Contraband Historical Society for a program discussion chronicling our contraband connection. Ajena Rogers and Pamela Holley told of their families struggles and triumphs journeying to Ft Monroe and life after. Refreshments and communion followed. CHS would like to thank Fort Monroe Family YMCA for use of their facility. [2018]
2017 Commemoration
From Left to Right: Terry Brown-Supt.NPS, Aaron Firth-NPS Park Ranger, USCT reenactor 1, Brenda Stokes, USCT reenactor 2, Chadra Pittman-Walke-Sankofa Projects, Pamela Holley-contraband descendant, Eric Diggs-Shephard Mallory reenactor, Edith Taylor-contraband descendant, USCT reenactor 3, Chad Johnson-James Townsnd reenactor; Tony Gabreile-Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler reenactor, Lamont Williams-Frank Baker reenactor, Dr. Bill Wiggins-Phd historian [2017]
Prizes awarded in "Contraband Decision"
Student Art Contest
Prizes were awarded May 24 in the "Contraband Decision" Commemoration student art contest at a ceremony at Fort Monroe. Winners in the contest, presented by Fort Monroe National Monument and sponsored by the Contraband Historical Society, were (pictured, from left): third place, Fu'Quan Johns, Warwick High School; second place, Noah Parker, Warwick High School; ...and first place, Paige Washko, Kecoughtan High School. Holding the winning artworks are (from left) Lamont Williams, Chad Johnson and Eric Diggs, actors from the Contraband Historical Society who portrayed the three original "contrabands" at the commemoration ceremony. In the Contraband Decision of May 1861, a U.S. Army general at Fort Monroe refused to return three runaway enslaved men to their master. It was the first action by the U.S. Government during the Civil War to liberate enslaved people and led the way to the eventual end of slavery. [2016]
2011 Commemoration Pilgrimage
Professor Bill Wiggins, board member of the Contraband Historical Society, history teacher at Columbia University, New York and Hampton University, Virginia, moderated a panel of leading scholars who have researched and written about the legacy of the Contraband decision that was made by Benjamin Butler, the commander of Fort Monroe in 1861.
The panel discussed the contraband decision and its legacy. Among the group of scholars are many whom have published books on the subject; Adam Goodheart, Robert Engs, Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, and Tommy Bogger added to the conversation about the Contraband decision and its legacy by helping us understand how the population of enslaved people were active participants in gaining their own freedom. [2011]