Waller County
Understanding Slavery from Top down and Bottom Up
Engaging our Problematic Past, 2022
Slavery’s impact and grasp on the lives of those connected to it extends across centuries. This is particularly true for descendants, both of the formerly enslaved and former slave owners. Often, stories of their ancestors dissipates at emancipation and the stories around how their families persisted during the post-emancipation era is unknown. In many cases, historical voids of knowledge exist regarding this information and as a result, our general understanding of slavery’s impact and legacy is left in obscurity.
In April of 2022, Jared Kirby’s, the former owner of Alta Vista Plantation, descendants, the Vanderslice family, returned to the campus of PVAMU to visit the campus and attend a program dealing with the legacy of slavery on the grounds. The family visited with students in several courses and discussed their family genealogy. The Vanderslices partnered with PVAMU’s Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice to contribute to the center’s exploration of the history of slavery at Alta Vista. To date, the Vanderslice family established an archival collection at PVAMU and shared critical information that answered questions about the experiences enslaved people residing on Alta Vista Plantation. Collaborations and partnerships of this nature help us fully understand the history and legacy of slavery.