The Intellectual Contributions of the Enslaved at Montpelier
Celebrate Black History Month as we explore the history, culture, and contributions that shape the African American narrative, locally and nationally, and deepen our appreciation for our shared heritage.
During the era of American Slavery, Montpelier was home to over 300 enslaved individuals who played a crucial role in its historical narrative. Join Dr. Matt Reeves, the Director of Archaeology at The Montpelier Foundation (TMF), as he explores significant sites of memory on the estate, and unveils lesser-known facts about the intellectual contributions of the enslaved community. This enlightening discussion will reveal how their skills, knowledge, and resilience not only contributed to the development of Montpelier itself but also to the foundations and fabric of the nation. Engaging with this much-overlooked history is essential for a comprehensive understanding of America’s past.
About the Presenters
George R. Monroe, Jr. is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia and a 1998 graduate of Virginia Union University (VUU), receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the School of Arts and Sciences. After graduating from VUU, George went on to earn a Master of Liberal Arts/History degree from the University of Richmond in 2000. His course of study focused on 19th century racial ideology and its generational impact on African Americans. He has spent the last 27 years working in the financial services industry, most recently as the Senior Vice President of Operational Risk Management for a top 10 (nationally) financial services firm. George is a serial entrepreneur, and humanitarian, having visited over 13 countries to assist others out of negative human conditions. He is also a published author, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In his spare time, George finds enjoyment in researching his genealogy, all things history, gardening, and relaxing with his wife of 20 years, and their two sons in Hanover County, Virginia.
Dr. Matt Reeves is the Director of Archaeology and Landscape Restoration at James Madison’s Montpelier. Matt has been the Director of Archaeology since 2000 and leads the overall archaeological research at James Madison’s Montpelier. Dr. Reeves is the principal investigator for all archaeological projects on the property. Over the past two decades, Dr. Reeve’s research has focused on plantation life, Civil War encampments, and an overall focus on sites of the African Diaspora (both pre-and post-emancipation). Prior to Montpelier, he directed projects at Manassas National Battlefield Park, Jefferson Patterson Park, and various New York DOT projects, and has worked on a wide variety of historic and pre-contact sites in Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Jamaica. His doctorate is from Syracuse University and focused on 19th-century settlements of the enslaved in Jamaica that he spent two years surveying and excavating.
