Central Nova News

Gonzaga High School's groundbreaking research on slavery, titled "Searching for Truth in the Garden," has found a new home at the Freedom House Museum. The exhibit, which will be on display until April 15, 2024, focuses on the life of Gabriel, a teenager who was enslaved at Washington Seminary in 1829. Gabriel's story provides a powerful lens through which to explore the complexities of slavery and its enduring impact.

The research for this exhibit was initially conducted by seven Gonzaga students during the summers of 2017 and 2018. Inspired by a visit from Adam Rothman of Georgetown University, the students uncovered this hidden history. The research was first showcased at Gonzaga and Ford's Theatre before finding its permanent home at the Freedom House Museum. The exhibit aims to prompt important conversations about race and historical reckoning.

Audrey Davis, Director of the City's African American History Division, commended the students' work, stating, "Their work shows how students can be inspired to go beyond textbooks to take a deeper dive into our history and bring to light the untold stories of the American historical narrative. With Gabriel, we learn about the horrors of the domestic slave trade and the tragic life of one enslaved 13-year-old boy."

More than just an exhibition, this collaboration represents Gonzaga's invitation to the community to join them on a shared journey of understanding and reckoning with a pivotal chapter in American history. By engaging with Gabriel's story, visitors to the exhibit can gain insights from the past, confront the present, and work towards building a more equitable future.

Visitors are encouraged to explore additional resources that provide context and insights into the origins and inspirations behind Gonzaga High School's research project. Two essential links, gonzaga.org/about/history/slavery-research-project and gu272.americanancestors.org/, offer valuable information for those interested in delving deeper into this historical narrative. These resources were influenced by The Georgetown University's 272 Memory Project.

For those requiring accommodations or an alternative format, they can reach out to historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, or Virginia Relay 711.

For media inquiries, please contact the Office of Communications & Public Information at newsroom@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3969.

This news release is available at Alexandriava.gov/go/5308.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.alexandriava.gov/news-oha/2023-12-27/new-temporary-exhibit-unveiled-at-the-freedom-house-museum-thru-april-15