National Juneteenth Observance Foundation
Celebration of Freedom
George Washington Legacy
& the 1st White House
The remains of Colonial-era buildings, including the house that George
Washington lived in
when he was president, are exposed at an archaeological dig in front of the
Liberty Bell Center,
top right, in Philadelphia. Archaeologists have discovered a hidden passageway
that was used by
Matt Rourke, Photographer, Associated Press
MSNBC - Associated Press
Slave passage found under Washington’s home
Hidden passageway was used by George Washington's nine slaves
Rubina Madan June 7,
2007
(Philadelphia ,
PA
The underground passageway is just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It was designed soWashington
"As you enter the heaven of liberty, you literally have to cross the hell of slavery," said Michael Coard, aPhiladelphia
Washington lived and conducted presidential
business at the house in the 1790s, when Philadelphia
Quandary for exhibit planners
The findings have created a quandary for National Park Service and city officials planning an exhibit at the house. They are now trying to decide whether to incorporate the remains into the exhibit or go forward with plans to fill in the ruins and build an abstract display about life in the house.
Making that decision will push back the building of the exhibit, which had been slated to open in 2009. But the oversight committee won't rush into construction, said Joyce Wilkerson, the mayor's chief of staff.
"We never thought we'd be faced with this kind of decision," she said. "We would've been happy to have found a pipe! And so we don't want to proceed blindly or say, 'This isn't in the plan.'"
Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., was so moved when he visited the site last week that he declared: "We need to rethink what we're doing here."
"It's astounding, absolutely astounding," Brady said. "I'm going to fight to keep it open, I'll tell you that much."
More discoveries than expected
Aside from the passageway, archaeologists have uncovered remnants of a bow window, an architectural precursor to the White House's Oval Office, and a large basement that was never noted in historic records.
"We actually found a lot more of the remains of the President's House than anyone expected. Myself included," said Jed Levin, an archaeologist with the National Park Service.
Thousands of visitors have been drawn to the ruins, standing on a small wooden platform to gaze down at the house's brick and stone foundation. The public response spurred officials to continue the excavation until at least July 4; it began in March and had been scheduled to end last month.
Archaeologists have served as guides, answering visitors' questions. Cheryl LaRoche, a cultural heritage specialist, said she enjoys educating people about how even a prominent statesman likeWashington
"We've been striving to present a balanced view of history that stands apart from what's been taught in history books," LaRoche said.
Most of Washington's slaves lived at hisMount Vernon
estate in Virginia Washington
Change of plans?
Before the ruins were unearthed, officials had planned an exhibit without archaeological findings. The planned design included a framework of the house, LED screens and other audiovisual elements explaining its history, including stories ofWashington
The remains would crumble if left unprotected. If the design included elevators, ramps or stairs to move visitors down into the newly dug ruins, costs would increase significantly.
Coard said he is confident the oversight committee will find the best way to tell the slaves' stories.
"Everybody's on board in terms of seriously considering incorporating the architectural dig into the design," Coard said. "The question now is: Is it doable? Nobody is saying, 'No, it shouldn't be done.'"
David Orr, an anthropology professor atTemple University
"It's just fantastic," Orr said. "I can't tell you enough how exciting it is. For years and years and years I've been trying to promote that kind of public archeology."
The underground passageway is just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. It was designed so
"As you enter the heaven of liberty, you literally have to cross the hell of slavery," said Michael Coard, a
Quandary for exhibit planners
The findings have created a quandary for National Park Service and city officials planning an exhibit at the house. They are now trying to decide whether to incorporate the remains into the exhibit or go forward with plans to fill in the ruins and build an abstract display about life in the house.
Making that decision will push back the building of the exhibit, which had been slated to open in 2009. But the oversight committee won't rush into construction, said Joyce Wilkerson, the mayor's chief of staff.
"We never thought we'd be faced with this kind of decision," she said. "We would've been happy to have found a pipe! And so we don't want to proceed blindly or say, 'This isn't in the plan.'"
Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa., was so moved when he visited the site last week that he declared: "We need to rethink what we're doing here."
"It's astounding, absolutely astounding," Brady said. "I'm going to fight to keep it open, I'll tell you that much."
More discoveries than expected
Aside from the passageway, archaeologists have uncovered remnants of a bow window, an architectural precursor to the White House's Oval Office, and a large basement that was never noted in historic records.
"We actually found a lot more of the remains of the President's House than anyone expected. Myself included," said Jed Levin, an archaeologist with the National Park Service.
Thousands of visitors have been drawn to the ruins, standing on a small wooden platform to gaze down at the house's brick and stone foundation. The public response spurred officials to continue the excavation until at least July 4; it began in March and had been scheduled to end last month.
Archaeologists have served as guides, answering visitors' questions. Cheryl LaRoche, a cultural heritage specialist, said she enjoys educating people about how even a prominent statesman like
"We've been striving to present a balanced view of history that stands apart from what's been taught in history books," LaRoche said.
Most of Washington's slaves lived at his
Change of plans?
Before the ruins were unearthed, officials had planned an exhibit without archaeological findings. The planned design included a framework of the house, LED screens and other audiovisual elements explaining its history, including stories of
The remains would crumble if left unprotected. If the design included elevators, ramps or stairs to move visitors down into the newly dug ruins, costs would increase significantly.
Coard said he is confident the oversight committee will find the best way to tell the slaves' stories.
"Everybody's on board in terms of seriously considering incorporating the architectural dig into the design," Coard said. "The question now is: Is it doable? Nobody is saying, 'No, it shouldn't be done.'"
David Orr, an anthropology professor at
"It's just fantastic," Orr said. "I can't tell you enough how exciting it is. For years and years and years I've been trying to promote that kind of public archeology."