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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Morven Museum & Gardens is launching a new series exploring the lives and legacies of the nation’s founders – and those who were enslaved by them. “Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America’s Founding Homes and Gardens” will examine the complex histories of properties connected to signers of the Declaration of Independence, moving beyond traditional narratives to include the experiences of the enslaved people who built and maintained these estates.

The series, beginning March 5, aims to provide a more complete understanding of the American Revolution and its impact, acknowledging the inherent contradictions between ideals of liberty and the reality of slavery. Morven’s curator of education and public programs, Greer Luce, explained the series’ focus: “We wanted to gaze at how that negotiates with these ideas of independence.” The program will feature four historic sites, each offering a unique perspective on this pivotal period in American history.

The series kicks off with William Paca’s Annapolis House in Annapolis, Maryland, on March 5. Historian Glenn Campbell will discuss Paca, a signer of the Declaration and the third governor of Maryland. The five-part Georgian mansion, built in the 1760s, now incorporates the stories of those who were enslaved there into its tours, according to Luce.

Following Annapolis, the series moves to Stratford Hall in Stratford, Virginia, on March 12, the home of signers Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. The estate is also notable as the birthplace of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Speaker Gordon Blaine Steffey has worked closely with descendants of the enslaved community at Stratford Hall, bringing their perspectives to the forefront of the historical narrative.

Monticello’s Revolutionary Gardens and Enslaved Labor

On March 26, the focus shifts to Monticello, the Virginia estate of Thomas Jefferson, and specifically his innovative garden. Historian and gardener Peter Hatch, emeritus director of gardens and grounds for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, will discuss the horticultural advancements made at Monticello and, crucially, the integral role enslaved people played in its creation and maintenance. Hatch will also explore the gardens cultivated by the enslaved population themselves.

Middleton Place: A Charleston Plantation’s Enduring Legacy

The final installment of the series, on April 16, will feature Middleton Place, a sprawling plantation outside Charleston, South Carolina, connected to signer Arthur Middleton. While the main house was destroyed during the Civil War, the property remains a National Historic Landmark District, boasting the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. Brandon Stone, the plantation’s director of research and preservation, will lead the discussion, highlighting the plantation’s history spanning into the 20th century. Middleton Place encompasses 110 acres, including gardens, a house museum, stableyards, and Eliza’s House.

This year marks the eighth iteration of the “Grand Homes and Gardens” series, and for the first time, all four speakers will present in person at Morven, with virtual options also available. Luce emphasized the careful selection process for the featured sites, prioritizing locations open to the public and aligned with the series’ theme. “These are speakers who know their sites, and are grappling with the ideas of not just who owned these homes, but who worked and kept them going,” she said.

All programs will take place at Morven, located at 45 Stockton Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Registration is available through the Morven website.

The series represents a growing trend in historical interpretation, one that seeks to acknowledge the full complexity of the past, including the often-silenced stories of those who were marginalized and exploited. By centering the experiences of enslaved people alongside those of the nation’s founders, “Freedom at Home” offers a more nuanced and honest understanding of America’s origins.

As the series unfolds, it will be essential to consider how these historical narratives shape our understanding of the present and inform our efforts toward a more just and equitable future. The ongoing research and preservation efforts at sites like Middleton Place, as well as the commitment to inclusive storytelling demonstrated by Morven Museum & Gardens, are vital steps in this process.

Share your thoughts on this important series and the evolving landscape of historical interpretation in the comments below.

China has entered the Year of the Fire Horse, a period marked by anticipated economic shifts and potential disruptions to global supply chains. The Lunar Fresh Year, which began on Tuesday, traditionally sees widespread factory closures across China and other East Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand as workers return to their families – a practice representing the world’s largest annual migration, with an estimated 9.5 billion journeys expected over the next four weeks.

The extended holiday period necessitates long-term planning for importers reliant on Asian goods, bracing for potential weeks of delays. “The Chinese New Year has a much greater impact on the world economy than, for example, Christmas,” Pascal Lago, an economics editor at SRF, told reporters. The closure of manufacturing hubs is expected to ripple through international trade, requiring businesses to proactively adjust their logistics and inventory management.

The Fire Horse, one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, is associated with strength, independence, and a dynamic, sometimes impulsive, nature. Astrologers suggest the year will bring energy and transformation. This year’s combination of the Fire element and the Horse sign occurs only once every 60 years, last appearing in 1966.

Beyond the economic implications, the New Year celebrations are a significant cultural event within China. State television broadcast the traditional New Year’s Gala, a meticulously choreographed showcase of performances intended to reflect the ambitions of the ruling Communist Party. This year’s gala featured humanoid robots and elaborate drone displays, highlighting China’s advancements in technology.

The holiday is similarly expected to provide a boost to China’s domestic economy. The tradition of gift-giving during the New Year fuels consumer spending, a welcome development given recent stagnation in inland consumption. The influx of spending is seen as a positive sign for the central government in Beijing.

Whereas the celebrations are underway, concerns remain regarding the broader economic landscape. China is navigating a period of economic uncertainty, coupled with increasing geopolitical tensions. The year of the Fire Horse arrives as the nation continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, aiming to surpass global competitors. The government has yet to comment on how these factors will influence economic policy in the coming months.