Press release from the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site:
In honor of Juneteenth this year, Vance Birthplace staff and members of the Mountain History and Culture Group have installed a temporary display and audio tour on the grounds of the Vance Birthplace. The installation, which will remain on the grounds through the summer and fall, will share the stories of the 27 enslaved people we know were enslaved by the Vances from 1795-1865. We are also grateful for the support of the NC African American Heritage Commission in assisting with the recordings for the audio tour. You can find the tour here:
https://www.youraudiotour.com/tours/709/
Of the 27+ people enslaved on the Vances’ Reems Creek Valley plantation, at least eight saw freedom in 1865: Leah and Sandy Erwin, Richard Vance II, Hudson Vance, Abram Vance, Peter, James Vance, and Simon Vance. Based on historical records, we know that Richard and Aggy, Jo and Leah, Venus, and Hannah Prestwood all died before the Civil War and remained enslaved for their entire lives. Unfortunately, we do not know what happened to Ann, May, Philip, Moses, Jim, Isaac, Harry, Esther, Isham, Washington, Dory, Jane, and Wilson. However, we believe that many of them may have lived through the Civil War to be given freedom.
Because of the limitations of the records that we have discovered, it is likely that there were men, women, and children enslaved by the Vances that we do not know about. Some of these unnamed people undoubtedly witnessed the events of 1865 and lived the rest of their lives in freedom, while others did not. We may never know their names or their stories, but they are not forgotten.
The Vance Birthplace State Historic Site grounds and restrooms are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. While the visitor center is closed to the public at this time, please check back with us as we continue to offer programs and tours.
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