Evening friends! We just had a wonderful live Facebook chat with Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project! Joe was chatting live from his stay at Bacon’s Castle. You can view live streaming video of his stay by following this link:
Transcript of Live Chat
In case you missed any of the live chat, here is a recap. Any questions Joe was not able to answer during the chat, he will answer in a special blog post when he returns from his trip. Many thanks to everyone who joined us, it was fun!
George Geder: Dear Joseph, Have you encountered any writings, inscriptions on walls, pieces of newspaper, or anything that may have suggested that there was any reading or writing going on in the slave dwelling?
Joseph McGill: Yes, I have but limited. Remember it was illegal for them to read and write.
Pat Richley-Erickson: I know the discomfort you experience sleeping in such a dwelling is nothing compared to the life experienced by the original inhabitants. Please share your thoughts as you settle in for the night.
Joseph McGill: Tonight is comforting because of all of the company I have.
True A Lewis: I’m just curious abt the whole process and look forward to learning. IS it taped? and does his mind and body go back to those times in Slavery?
Joseph McGill: The process is quite simple. Sleep in a slave cabin and leverage the attention that it brings.
Diana DuMond Glass: What is the feeling you take away with you as you leave the dwellings?
Joseph McGill: A feeling of satisfaction that I am honoring the ancestors.
Paul Garbarini: Is this the oldest dwelling you’ve stayed in?
Joseph McGill Yes, located at the oldest brick dwelling ii.. (lost him here!)
Fallon Green: Have you ever thought of sharing your experience by linking up with UStream? I think your idea is great and I believe there is a wider audience for what you are doing? I want not only to chat with you…but also to share with you the experience…in a place that is SAFE and FAR away from critters you so calmly mention? Have you thought at all about taping your experience for wider consumption so that others can then share in your reflection on the experience of sleeping in each slave cabin? It would be great to know the names of the people who once slept there and what they did…?
Joseph McGill Yes, I am doing more research on the people. I am trying to master the technology for capturing this project.
Bernice Bennett: Joe, what do you usually take with you for an overnight stay in a cabin?
Joseph McGill Sleeping bag, pillow and a club.
Pat Richley-Erickson: hmm, a club.
Tusculum Institute at Sweet Briar College: Is the club for guarding against animals, people, or both?
Joseph McGill: Animals
Sarah Edwards Kemp: How and when did you get started with the Project? Also, how do you identify which cabins to sleep in? Thanks!
Joseph McGill: 2010
Jacqueline DeGroat: How many people are with you tonight?
Joseph McGill: 17 people
Charlotte Hutson-Wrenn: wow!
Regina Mason: Joe, now that you have been doing this for a while, has the bureaucracy or resistance to your staying in slave cabins gotten any easier?
Nadia K. Orton asks: Have you encountered any major problems or resistance in arranging a stay?
Joseph McGill I am making progress.
True A Lewis: Are people allowed to sign up to go on these slave dwelling experiences with you?
Joseph McGill: Yes, I will release the 2013 schedule soon.
Yvette Porter Moore asks: Has there been any excavations? Are there any graves, or any other markings around the cabins that would reveal that these people lived here?
Joseph McGill: Limited excavation, it is not known where the slave graves are.
Regina Mason asks: Joe, now that you have been doing this for a while, has the bureaucracy or resistance to your staying in slave cabins gotten any easier?
Nadia K. Orton: Have you encountered any major problems or resistance in arranging a stay?
Joseph McGill I am making progress. I had a good week last week. college of charleston, nps
Charlotte Hutson-Wrenn: Wishing you the best this evening, Joe! Wish I could be there to draw the night. What colors would you say you feel in the night during these experiences – any? white? black? red? blue?
Joseph McGill: Mosaic
Charlotte Hutson-Wrenn ha! like in rainbow, I bet:)
Dianne Watson Armstrong: so wish I were there tonight. Sending you love and support from Helena, Montana. I am awed by this project and dream of being a part. I know the ancestors are smiling on you.
Joseph McGill: I will release the 2013 schedule soon.
Tina Sansone: Is he keeping a diary or any writings of this? any documentary being done, sorry if this has been asked, I came in late.
Joseph McGill No documentary
Tina Sansone: There is an area here in Memphis where slave cabins use to be. Does he feel using the metal detector in these areas will bring up anything today’s time period?
Joseph McGill Metal detecting should be done by professionals.
Thanks for posting the transcript.
Thanks for allocating this informative transcription of live Facebook chat with Joseph McGill of the slave dwelling project. I was looking for this live chat transcription and quite enjoyed reading through. Again many thanks for this conversation.
Television transcription