Slave Life at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

A new augmented reality exhibit at Monticello, Jefferson's plantation estate, brings to light the long-suppressed story of Sally Hemings and her children by Thomas Jefferson. Using Madison Hemings' 1873 account, projected in a dark cellar room, the exhibit narrates key moments from his mother's life and those of his siblings, challenging historical narratives that denied Jefferson's paternity. The study highlights how DNA evidence and documentary records, alongside oral histories, confirm the Jefferson-Hemings connection, revealing the complexities and contradictions of U.S. slavery during the 18th century. This approach underscores Monticello as a symbol of America's paradox—liberty coexisting with bondage—and its enduring legacy.

Wilkinson, A. B. (2019). Slave Life at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. American Quarterly, 71(1), 247–264. https://doi.org/10.1353/aq.2019.0017