Faculty Lecture: "The Hands that Built Gunston Hall" given by Professor Vlach at Gunston Hall on September 27, 2009

The Hands that Built Gunston Hall
Sunday, September 27, 2009
1 P.M. to 5 P.M.
Lecture to begin at 2 P.M. at Gunston Hall (10709 Gunston Road, Mason Neck, VA 22079)

Essential to the construction of George Mason's home 250 years ago were the "hands that built it." Many of the hands belonged to Mason's slaves. Some slaves were highly skilled sawyers, carpenters, and blacksmiths, while others provided pure labor.

The Hands that Built Gunston Hall will acknowledge their efforts.
- Dr. John Michael Vlach, noted scholar of African American tradition and Professor of American Studies and Anthropology at GWU, will give an illustrated talk on 18th-century housing and the Gunston Hall plantation enslaved labor force.
- Robert M. Watson of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will demonstrate period woodworking techniques.
- Shiloh Baptist Church of Mason Neck will perform spiritual music dedicated to the enslaved builders of Gunston Hall of Mason Neck.
- Hearth cooks will demonstrate African American foodways.