A new plaque facing the White House bears witness to a shameful chapter in United States history: when enslaved people helped build one of the nation’s seats of government. Unveiled in a ceremony last week, the sign is one of three informational markers that now stand at the northern entrance of Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.
Conceived by the White House Historical Association (WHHA) in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS), the center and rightmost signs discuss Jackie Kennedy’s role as the WHHA’s founder and the history of protests in Lafayette Square, respectively, per a statement.
But the leftmost marker is the most notable, as it explains how enslaved people aided the White House’s construction. Though small, the sign marks the first time that a public work has formally acknowledged the role that enslaved people played in the creation of the U.S.’ most iconic building, reports Joe Heim for the Washington Post.
Original Post from Nora McGreevy/Smithsonian Magazine
Read More Here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-plaque-tells-enslaved-people-who-built-white-house-180978342/
