United States National Slavery Museum 🇺🇸

If you are tracing American history, you should understand the evolving legacy of the United States National Slavery Museum proposal. Originally founded in 2001 by former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder, the initial project planned for Fredericksburg, Virginia, aimed to focus on education, re-education, and policy formation regarding slavery and its enduring legacy. While the original Fredericksburg site only completed a small, one-third-acre Spirit of Freedom Garden before work ceased in 2007 and the organization eventually filed for bankruptcy, the vision has shifted south to Richmond.

Today, you can follow the progress of the revived National Slavery Museum effort as part of Richmond’s ten-year Shockoe Project in Shockoe Valley. On your visit to the area, you can look forward to upcoming site features, beginning with the Shockoe Institute inside Main Street Station opening in 2025. Future development plans include the excavation of the former Lumpkin's Slave Jail alongside an informative Pavilion, a dedicated African Burial Ground, and a memorial honoring 300,000 people sold and shipped downriver between 1830 and 1860.

The plan culminates in a 62,000-square-foot museum dedicated to telling the complete history of slavery and freedom.

What to see at United States National Slavery Museum

• The one-third-acre Spirit of Freedom Garden dedicated in 2007
• The Shockoe Institute opening at Main Street Station in 2025
• Excavation of Lumpkin's Slave Jail and a dedicated storytelling Pavilion
• African Burial Ground and memorial to 300,000 individuals sold downriver
• Planned 62,000-square-foot National Slavery Museum in Shockoe Valley

Visiting tips

Keep in mind that the revived project in Richmond is underway as part of a ten-year development plan, with its initial institute opening in 2025.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

United States National Slavery Museum is easy to reach on Fredericksburg’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Presbyterian Church of Fredericksburg and St. George's Episcopal Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Fredericksburg travel guide.