“The Judy Project” at Richmond Hill
Unearthing Buried Stories: The Exhibit
“While we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.” – Amanda Gorman
The Exhibit
Unearthing Buried Stories: The Exhibit is an effort by Richmond Hill to live into its mission, which is to seek the healing of metropolitan Richmond through hospitality, prayer, racial reconciliation and spiritual development. Black and white people in this country have been harmed in very different ways by a culture of white supremacy, enslavement and the legacies of enslavement – not to mention the ways in which religion has been used to justify oppression and to judge people based on their identity. Healing the traumatized spirit and the soul of America requires first truth, then lament, acknowledgement, repentance and atonement, dialogue, and finally repair. Through this exhibit, we are beginning with truth about the history of the place where we are standing.
We began this process with a goal of creating 12 panels. That somehow felt right and 12 is a holy number. However, as the story of this land and neighborhood unfolded it called out for more. The exhibit is now composed of twenty (20) panels that are 3.5 x 2.5 feet, and an outside double-sided panel at the Dwelling of Enslaved Africans. Primary sources for the content include US census records, wills, letters, legislative petitions, vital records, newspapers, maps, insurance policies, and more. Sources are available upon request.
See the exhibit handout for more information.
Comments about the Unearthing exhibit
I thought that The Judy Project exhibit was a beautiful and terrible exhibit. Beautifully curated and crafted. Terrible because it demonstrated the horrible ugliness of enslavement. Bit by bit each day, I am learning new languages. The LGBTQIA+ community. The community of color. Words matter. This exhibit helped me to see the importance of what I am learning.
As someone white (I am complicit by skin color), I have much to apologize for. George Floyd’s murder brought this home to me as I listened to POC trans youth in group share about racist comments they endured on social media. I never carried this burden, nor any of the others that some people allow skin color to place on others. I apologize for all that my race enacted on yours. I promise you that I am doing everything I can to end this.
–Bex Bertok, member, First Presbyterian Church
Many thanks for your wonderful presentation today. I appreciated how you beautifully wove together a poignant narrative with a larger historical context. For me, your approach brought to mind Annette Gordon-Reed’s writings and how she also seeks to honor the inner lives and individuality of those she studies.
The work you shared today resonated profoundly and has given me a lot to reflect on. I look forward to continuing to learn more about The Judy Project.
–Lucy Hahn, member, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Audio Reflections
Below are a series of audio reflections that accompany “Unearthing Buried Stories: The Exhibit.” Listen to them when you are at Richmond Hill in front of the exhibition panels, or feel free to peruse them here. They complement the text on the exhibition panels. Transcriptions are available.
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Introduction Panel
Cora Harvey Armstrong, Vocalist at Reparations Sunday 2021, hosted by Richmond Hill and Virginia Union University, Center for African American History and Culture
Sophie Crago, Judy Project Intern, Virginia Commonwealth University
On the importance of history . . .
Viola Baskerville speaking at Reparations Sunday 2021, hosted by Richmond Hill and Virginia Union University, Center for African American History and Culture
On the work of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society of Greater Richmond . . .
Professor Mark Muller, Oxford University, England
On the historical context . . .
Rev. Dr. Lisa Johnson, Co-Pastoral Director, Richmond Hill
Healing the Traumatized Spirit in honor of Juneteenth 2022 . . .
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Urban Enslavement Panel
Professor Laura Nasrallah, Yale University, New Haven, CT
On daily living . . .
Selden Richardson, author, Built by Blacks
On the urban context . . .
Lauranett Lee, Historian
On the lessons of Richmond Hill . . .
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Be the Change Panel
Lindsay Franklin, Richmond Hill
On her own family history . . .
Abena Koomson performs “Let America Be America Again” by Langston Hughes
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The Dwelling of Enslaved Africans Panel (Outside)
Allison and Beth, Richmond Hill Gardeners
On the place itself . . .
Richard Quarshie, from Ghana, Virginia Commonwealth University
On connections . . .
Naomi, Student, Armstrong Leadership Program
On hearing and seeing . . .
Meghana Boojala, College of William & Mary
On the significance of memorials . . .
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Creating a Culture of Repair Panel
Dr. Iva Carruthers, Northeastern Illinois University
On reparations . . .
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Directional Panel
Richard Rumble, Richmond Hill Resident
Comments in response to Burt Pinnock’s presentation of his initial concept design for the Enslaved Dwelling at Richmond Hill . . .
Kristen Saacke Blunk, Richmond Hill Resident
Enslaved Dwelling as sacred space at Richmond Hill . . .
CREDITS
- Resident historian and primary interviewer: Pam Smith
- Audio selections: Sophie Crago, Judy Project Intern
- Audio editing and web design: Eric Johnson
- Original artwork: Amanda Barnes
- Exhibit panel design: Richard Rumble
- Music: “Heal Your Heart” by Khalafnasirs, 2021, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0), remixed and edited for length in some instances
