Hampton National Historic Site, Goucher College, and Historic East Towson, three communities sharing a connected landscape and history, are exploring Descendant stories and how they are interpreted through historic sites, college campuses, and within the Community itself.

The Descendant Engagement Symposium will feature panel discussions highlighting the voices of Descendants in the re-interpretation of historic sites and college campus narratives. New names and stories of resilience and strength add depth to the historical record and to the legacies of the Descendant communities today. Other discussions will focus on research, the research process, student, faculty, and staff, and the challenges faced during the process, and what future steps will be taken.

Our goals include telling the stories of those enslaved equitably through cultural alignment and understanding. We take ownership of these stories by welcoming input from all areas of the community, particularly silenced and dissenting voices. The work of connecting Descendant input, thoughts, and personal connections to historic sites and campuses will create a more accurate and in-depth historical narrative that will be shared through the planning and interpretation of exhibits and other memorialization initiatives. We encourage individuals and organizations to step forward to work in partnership.