Black Legacy Project at Woodberry Forest
Welcome to the Digital Archive of the History of African American Labor at Woodberry Forest School. This site documents the lives of enslaved individuals at Woodberry, shares excerpts from interviews with more than 50 former African American workers, and highlights the project’s purpose and evolution. It also features a temporary memorial behind The Residence, created as a space for reflection while the school explores a more permanent memorial.
This project honors voices too often overlooked and explores how Black labor has shaped Woodberry Forest from enslavement through the present day.
PURPOSE
INSPIRATION
METHODOLOGY
IMPACT
PURPOSE • INSPIRATION• METHODOLOGY • IMPACT
The History of African American Labor (HAALW) at Woodberry Forest Project is dedicated to raising awareness of Woodberry Forest School’s history as both a school and a former plantation. Its purpose is to honor the African Americans who lived and labored at Woodberry, while also recognizing and connecting with people of color who have contributed to the school in both the past and present.
The lack of accessible information about the timeline of slavery at Woodberry inspired this project. Originally a plantation owned by William Madison, brother of President James Madison, much of this history has been overlooked. As a result, many members of the Woodberry community are unaware of the period before Robert Stringfellow Walker founded the school. This project seeks to highlight the individuals whose labor and lives shaped Woodberry into what it is today.
The methodology begins with interviews of past and present faculty, staff, and community members of color, particularly those with generational ties to Woodberry. These interviews aim to capture personal experiences and deepen understanding of race and labor at the school. The project will also gather additional names and stories to ensure a more accurate and meaningful retelling of Woodberry’s history. From this research, HAALW will develop a timeline of key events and individuals, and incorporate historical documents related to the plantation, including materials from Montpelier, to deepen the historical record and share it with the community. In addition, the project has involved identifying individuals connected to Woodberry’s past and is currently expanding to document their stories and lived experiences through further research.
On November 23, 2024, more than 30 people gathered at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Orange, Virginia for a community meeting centered on the experiences of being Black while working at Woodberry. The discussion was deeply emotional, marked by reflection, pride, and moments of grief and healing. What emerged was a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to continuing this work. What began as a project focused primarily on documenting enslavement has grown into a broader effort to preserve Black voices connected to Woodberry across generations. The project has now included interviews with over 50 former African American employees of the school, building a growing archive of lived experiences and personal histories. In addition, a physical memorial has been created in the backyard of the Residence as a space for reflection and remembrance. The project has also expanded into conversations with the school and Montpelier to explore the development of a more permanent, visible memorial honoring the enslaved individuals who were part of Woodberry’s earliest history.
About This Project
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” - Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King
Research Archives & Educational Resources
A repository of sources, archival records, and oral intervieiws documenting the history of African American labor at Woodberry Forest. Explore our digitized collection of documents, interviews, and the history of the Evolution of Black Labor at Woodberry that has now turned into a Black Legacy.
Get Involved
We invite former workers, alumni, and researchers to contribute to our Black Legacy project. Your stories, records, and insights are vital to honoring the history of black labor and resilience at Woodberry Forest School.
Please Fill out The Form Below
Your insights are vauable to the progression and research of this project!