Sleeping with the Ancestors: How I Followed the Footprints of Slavery

The Slave Dwelling Project was founded in 2010 by Joseph McGill Jr., a historic preservationist and Civil War reenactor, to explore the history of slavery by spending the night in former slave dwellings across the United States. The project has inspired difficult conversations about race and has been featured in events and gatherings. Sleeping with the Ancestors, co-authored by McGill and Herb Frazier, provides a deeper understanding of the history of slavery and its overlooked aspects.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Hachette Books

In 2010, Joseph McGill Jr., a renowned historic preservationist and Civil War reenactor, initiated the Slave Dwelling Project, a groundbreaking endeavor inspired by an idea that germinated in 1999. Since its inception, McGill has embarked on an extensive journey across the United States, spending nights in former slave dwellings located in the South, North, and West. What surprises many people is the existence of these structures, which shed light on the often obscured and distorted history of slavery.

To facilitate these overnight stays, events and gatherings are organized around them, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the often overlooked aspects of slavery's history. The project has sparked challenging conversations about race in communities spanning from South Carolina to Alabama to Texas to Minnesota to New York, and throughout the United States.

Sleeping with the Ancestors, a collaborative effort between McGill and co-author Herb Frazier, delves deeper into the actual history of each site visited by McGill in his ongoing project. Drawing from McGill's personal experiences and engaging conversations with the local communities, the book enhances the original stories and provides readers with an important and unexpected immersion into the history of slavery, particularly the overlooked and ignored aspects of that history.

Through their meticulous research and compelling storytelling, McGill and Frazier offer a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted legacy of slavery. Their book serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and confronting our shared past, fostering empathy, and promoting social justice.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780306829666