A Clear Path

This Black History Month 2007, we take this opportunity to also observe the Bicentenary of the abolition of the British slave trade with a new Web section coming on line this February.

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In the Garden

The lucious gardens that are the hallmark of many plantions in Prince George's County are often attributed to the design tastes of the planter. What is often left out of the in the interpretation of these historic sites are the contributions of the African-American laborers that planted and maintained these gardens. Poplar Hill on His Lordship's Kindness is no exception. While much is known about the landscaping, the plant life, and the layout of the gardens at Poplar Hill, very little is known about the African American laborers that were responsible for its maintenance and care.

Lewis Brown, a former slave who remained on the plantation after emancipation, worked as a gardener at Poplar Hill. We don't know much about his life, but on July 28th, 1914, it was his words that described the life and times at this plantation in an article for the Washington Times Newspaper.

This section of the Poplar Hill Web site seeks to bring visitor attention to gardens at Poplar Hill, the African-American influence in the maintenance of plantation gardens, and the post-emancipation growth of truck farming and gardening by African American famlies.