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Established as a port town in 1749, Alexandria, VA was immersed in slavery from its outset. Enslaved peoples helped build the town. They worked in the homes of many of its residents. They labored in its shops, offices, manufacturing operations, and on its wharves. As the demand for enslaved labor increasingly shifted towards the Deep South and the importation of African slaves was ended, Alexandria became a hub for the growing domestic slave trade. When the Civil War began, Alexandria was quickly occupied by Union troops. Inspired by the possibility of freedom if they could make it to Union lines, thousands of enslaved peoples flocked to Alexandria. Here, these self-liberated peoples carved out lives and communities for themselves. As you walk through the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria, you will come to know more about what life must have been like for those who lived lives of enslavement here and those who sought freedom here.

The Lives of the Enslaved: Alexandria, Va

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