(MURFREESBORO) Historians have completed extensive research into the lives of enslaved African Americans at Oaklands Mansion, and that information is available now. The property was owned by the Maney family, reportedly being one of Tennessee’s largest slave owners in the 1860s.
Oaklands Mansion is releasing the names and life stories of enslaved African Americans who likely lived on the plantation.
Previously, very little research had been devoted to the African-Americans enslaved by the Maney family. However, Oaklands’ launch of a new 2021 initiative seeks to bring these individuals’ stories to the forefront via “The Untold Stories” project. “The Untold Stories project attempts to give a voice to 87 African Americans who have been overlooked by history,” said James Manning, executive director. “The initiative names each individual believed to have been enslaved on the Maneys’ plantation and their descendants. This new research broadly increases our knowledge of the African American community in Murfreesboro both during the Civil War and beyond.”
The project was researched and written by recent Middle Tennessee State University graduate, Audrey Creel.
She said, “These stories of struggle and triumph are inspiring, and I’m pleased to have had a part in making them known to the public. However, this is just the beginning. We welcome those in the community who have additional information or family histories about these individuals to share them with us.”
The public is invited to view “The Untold Stories” project by visiting oaklandsmansion.org and accessing the Slavery dropdown menu.
If you have further information about individuals enslaved on the Maney plantations, please contact James Manning at Oaklands Mansion.
Wedding Dresses Through The Decades Now Open
“In celebration of the 10th Anniversary, we are relocating the entire exhibit to the mansion and bringing some of our favorite dresses, photos and stories back from the years past,” said Mary Beth Nevills, Education Director of Oaklands, “Help us celebrate this milestone anniversary!”
The evet continues in the mansion through April, 2021.
Stories of our community will come to life through wedding gowns on display in Oaklands Mansion. Step back into time and experience the common threads that weave our lives together as we explore women’s history, fashion history, cultural history and the history of our community. The 10th Anniversary of the “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” exhibit, will for the first time, take place inside Oaklands Mansion from January 16 through March 27, 2021.
Oaklands Mansion is located at 900 N. Maney Avenue and is open for tours Tuesday through Friday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM, as well as 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and 1:00-4:00PM on Sundays. For more information, phone 615-893-0022.
