E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

The Freedmen’s The Freedmen’s Experience on Experience on Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt IslandIslandJonathan Pliska: Landscape Historian – CLP, Jonathan Pliska: Landscape Historian – CLP, NCRNCR

Formerly Historian with the Historic American Formerly Historian with the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS)Landscapes Survey (HALS)

National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior

Cultural Landscapes ProgramCultural Landscapes ProgramNational Capital RegionNational Capital Region

IntroductionIntroduction

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Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS DC-12)Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS DC-12)

Virginia

Potomac River

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Washington, DC

Mason’s IslandMason’s Island

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Above: Historic American Above: Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS DC-Buildings Survey (HABS DC-28)28)

Left: Library of Congress, Left: Library of Congress, Geography and Maps Geography and Maps DivisionDivision

11stst U.S. Colored Troops U.S. Colored Troops (USCT)(USCT)

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Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs DivisionDivision

BarracksBarracks

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Library of Library of Congress, Congress, Prints and Prints and Photographs Photographs DivisionDivision

Military TrainingMilitary Training

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They are manly enough, bright enough, They are manly enough, bright enough, look as if they had the soldier-stuff in look as if they had the soldier-stuff in them, look hardy, patient, many of them, look hardy, patient, many of them real handsome young fellows. . . . them real handsome young fellows. . . . These then are the black troops – or These then are the black troops – or the beginning of them. Well no one can the beginning of them. Well no one can see them, even under these see them, even under these circumstances – their military career in circumstances – their military career in its novitiate – without feeling well its novitiate – without feeling well pleased with them.pleased with them.

- Walt Whitman - Walt Whitman

ContrabandsContrabands

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Library of Library of Congress, Congress, Prints and Prints and

Photographs Photographs DivisionDivision

Society of FriendsSociety of Friends

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Frontispiece to Frontispiece to Biographical Sketch of Louisa J. RobertsBiographical Sketch of Louisa J. Roberts

The poor inmates are The poor inmates are destitute of every destitute of every comfort, ragged comfort, ragged filthy, and lying on filthy, and lying on the floor . . . dying for the floor . . . dying for something they could something they could eat.eat.

- Louisa J. - Louisa J. RobertsRoberts

Relief SuppliesRelief Supplies

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First Annual Report of the Board and Managers of the First Annual Report of the Board and Managers of the Association of Friends for the Aid and Elevation of the Association of Friends for the Aid and Elevation of the FreedmenFreedmen, 1865, 1865

Camp MapCamp Map

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National Archives, Record Group National Archives, Record Group 4242

Sojourner TruthSojourner Truth

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I went to Mason’s Island, I went to Mason’s Island, and saw the freedmen and saw the freedmen there, and held several there, and held several meetings . . . all are meetings . . . all are delighted to hear me talk. delighted to hear me talk. I think I am doing good. I I think I am doing good. I am needed here. am needed here.

- Sojourner Truth- Sojourner Truth

Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Prints and Photographs DivisionDivision

Register of DeparturesRegister of Departures

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C ANational Archives, Microfilm National Archives, Microfilm M1902M1902

Closing CampClosing Camp

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Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Prints and Photographs DivisionDivision

Future PossibilitiesFuture Possibilities

Additional ResearchAdditional ResearchSite InterpretationSite InterpretationGenealogyGenealogyArchaeologyArchaeologyOther Freedmen’s SitesOther Freedmen’s Sites

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National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior

Jonathan PliskaJonathan PliskaLandscape HistorianLandscape HistorianCultural Landscapes ProgramCultural Landscapes Program

National Capital RegionNational Capital RegionOffice Phone: 202-354-2109Office Phone: 202-354-2109

Jonathan_Pliska@nps.govJonathan_Pliska@nps.govjwpliska@gmail.comjwpliska@gmail.com