Spring Hill News

Black History Month Programs offered at Rippavilla

February 2, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

In honor of Black History month, Rippavilla Plantation is offering a unique sampling of programs designed to broaden ones’ knowledge of slave life in Tennessee and the achievements that followed. Each weekend in February, visitors will explore various topics ranging from plantation life at Rippavilla to modern economic successes.

The first weekend, February 6th and 7th, Amy Batton, a Rippavilla guide, will offer an educational class titled, “Slavery: Not Just in the South.” Mrs. Batton will provide facts and figures on slavery in the South as compared to the North and the different skills for each geographic region. The presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the educational building and conclude with a house tour lasting approximately 2 hours.

The second weekend, February 13th and 14th, explore “Plantation Life and Slavery Tour of Rippavilla.” The tour will begin in the house with the family history and life of the house slaves. Sam Bond, a former slave and one of the most beloved figures in Rippavilla history, will be highlighted in the presentation. Guests will then drive to the slave cabin where daily life of the field slaves and farming will be discussed. A brief walk from the slave cabin to the cemeteries will conclude the tour with the discussion of African burial rituals. Visitors are encourages to dress warmly as a portion of this tour is outside.

On Saturday and Sunday, February 20th and 21st, learn about the McKissack and Bond families and their journeys from slavery in Spring Hill to modern success stories across the United States. Drawing on the 2010 theme set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, visitors will learn more about McKissack & McKissack, the oldest minority-owned architectural firm in the country and its connection to Maury County.

The final program on Saturday, February 27th, offers attendees the chance to learn more about one of the nation’s most popular hobbies, genealogy. The class titled, “Digging up Roots,” Participants learn where and how to begin the search; where to locate resources in your community and free internet sites; how to save your information; and what to do when you hit a dead end and how to research Black genealogy.

For specific program times and admission, call the gift shop at 931-486-9037 or visit the website at www.rippavilla.org