Enslaved men, women, and children not only built Monticello; they and their descendants also helped build the city of Charlottesville. Our Monticello to Main Street Tour is based largely on the research of Monticello historian Cinder Stanton, and this tour shares the stories of free and enslaved African Americans with ties to Monticello who left a lasting impact on Charlottesville history. With courage and perseverance, these individuals navigated the color line and triumphed in creating community despite the harsh realities of racism all around them.


This video was made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.