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Enslaved people on Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate lived in small cabins like this one. Photo: Russell Contreras/Axios

Historic sites linked to enslavement and emancipation are getting new attention and funding for preservation after years of neglect.

The big picture: The popularity of Juneteenth and the racial reckoning after George Floyd's murder in 2020 led several cities and states to rethink how they commemorate difficult chapters of American history, including slavery.

State of play: Hundreds of historic sites from Massachusetts to Texas offer windows into enslaved people's lives yet vary in status, sit abandoned or rarely appear in visitors' guides.

The push to recognize places that were part of unflattering episodes in U.S. history has years of resistance, preservation activists say especially from local historic commissions.

Zoom in: Popular tourist attractions such as Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and James Madison's Montpelier have placed physical reminders about slavery in recent years, thanks in part to pressure from descendants of those who were enslaved.

Pressure and new funding from public and private entities are beefing up demand to include the voices of enslaved people at sites.

Between the lines: The Action Fund announced last week it had awarded $3.8 million to protect 40 Black American historic sites.

What they're saying: "We believe that not until Black history matters will Black Lives Matter," Leggs said.

What's next: The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is developing a mapping project to identify and locate all Black American cultural sites, including those linked to enslavement.

Originally posted here:
Juneteenth puts focus on preserving enslavement sites - Axios