Forging a Life: The Journey From Slavery to Freedom

Discover the past on Saturday, March 14 from 11AM – 4PM, at our Forging a Life program
which explores the African American historical experience at Rose Hill Plantation. Before the Civil War,
hundreds of people were enslaved on this cotton plantation. Following emancipation, some freed
people left Rose Hill, and others remained, becoming tenant farmers. In both slavery and freedom,
African Americans worked hard to forge a life for themselves and their families at Rose Hill Plantation.   
 
Forging a Life will be held from 11AM – 4PM, and visitors can arrive anytime during those hours. 
Interactive activities will include:
- Cooking demonstrations by living historian Jai’Lyn Lowe
- Brick-making demonstrations by living historian Tyrie Rowell
- Living Historian Bobby Harley will be exploring the life of African American soldiers
- Artifacts table with state parks archaeologist
- Blacksmithing demonstration by Julian Williams
- Union County Community Remembrance Project
- Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow pop up exhibit
- Guided Ranger grounds tour
- Woodson Chapel Baptist Church Gospel Choir

The mansion’s first floor will be open for self-guided tours, and there will be a ranger-led walk to the
remains of a 19th-century tenant farmer home during the event. Historic games, arts and crafts, and
more will be offered.
 
The food vendor for the day is Proc’s Kitchen of Spartanburg. Cash is highly encouraged for lunch and
dessert vendors will be on-site for the event.
 
Admission to the park and program is $5 for adults and $2 for children aged 6-15 (cash
preferred). Children 5 and under are free.