Autobiographical Presentations of the Black Experience on America’s First Frontier

The living history interpreters of Providence Plantation present the previously untold historical experience of black people in highly diverse circumstances in the backwoods of America’s 18th century. All of these true historical persons come alive in unforgettable, dramatic first-person presentations.

Slaves among the Traders with Indians.

The period 1720-1754 represents the first evidence of English whites and blacks on the extreme backcountry of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The successful traders took black slaves with them on their trade journeys into the Ohio country. as well as white indentured servants. What blacks did on and between these trips to Indian country, how their relationships to their masters compared to that of white indentures, and how these experiences sometimes prompted blacks to runaway to freedom or slavery among the Indians, are exciting true stories never told by historians before now.

Blacks in the French and Indian War.

Free blacks and mulattos (not slaves) were conscripted along with white indentures to join the Virginia troops led by George Washington in the Battle at Fort Necessity, the Battle of the Monongahela, and Forbes’ Expedition. They played vital non-combat roles in these military confrontations with the French and their Indian allies, both of whom also held black and white slaves. These formerly invisible people are for the first time given their due as vital figures in the Seven Years War in the upper Ohio valley.

A special presentation features Francois (Frank) who tells his story of how he was taken captive during an Indian raid after Braddock’s defeat, and two years later (1757) escaped. He tells of the dangers he encountered while returning to his northern Virginia home and was captured by Cherokee slave-catchers and given up to authorities, who took him to Williamsburg, where for his noble deed for the colony earned his freedom.

Runaway Blacks among the Indians.

To escape the humiliation and suffering of slavery under inhumane masters or supervisors on some plantations, and in some iron-making mills and artesan shops, many blacks chose running away as their preferred option to slavery or suicide. For many their only resort was the Indians, whom some had gotten to know in the Indian trade. Although some black men were kept as slaves, most were adopted, intermarried, and lived freely as Indians. To maintain peace, colonial authorities did not require the Indians to give them up, contrary to the law. This untold story is an important feature of frontier history that is exclusively portrayed by our interpreters.

Blacks among the Returned Indian Captives.

Under Colonel Henri Bouquet(1764), over 200 prisoners were given up by Indians in Ohio country. Since 1754 they had been taken in raids on the eastern frontier settlements in Virginia and Pennsylvania: English subjects, French; men, women, and children, and negroes. Some of the black captives returned to their masters for reasons of nobility and selflessness. Others returned with some of the whites to the Indians where they had first known freedom. Either choice represented the power of freedom unknown elsewhere to persons in bondage. They tell their story for the first time in dramatic living history.

Special Saturday Program

(a scheduled Saturday of each month, 4-9 p.m.).

The preceding stories of Blacks in the Backcountry are presented at Providence Plantation in conjunction with dancing, singing, drumming, and, on occasion, the "jump the broom" wedding ceremony. Reservations are required. Please call for more information and to make your reservatons: (724) 538- 8818.

The Blacks on the Backcountry Programs

Outreach Programs.

Provide in-school (public, private, and family-school)) presentations by professionally-trained interpreters who employ practical strategies for student hands-on participation, energetic interaction, and creative application of issues meaningful for today. Costumed interpreters make it possible for students to see this untold side of black history on America’s first frontier through the eyes of those who experienced it, and provide ample opportunity for questions and answers.

On-site Programs

Provide opportunities for the students, their families, and the general public to see the Blacks on the Backcountry Programs presented by our costumed interpreters at Providence Plantation, recreated 18th century site for living history education. Here school students can enjoy living history field trips, special group-study programs, and overnight camp-outs (parent or guardian required). Scout and church youth groups are also welcome.

Volunteer Learning Opportunities

After watching our programs, you may feel that you too would like to become a trained, historical interpreter in our programs. If so, please contact us by telephone or website given below. We are looking for teachable men, women, and young people who are moved by these stories and see an opportunity to share this exiting, but untold 18th century history of the Blacks in the Backcountry.

To make arrangements for our outreach or on-site programs for your school, group, organization, or general admission, please contact us at 724.538.8818.