Unveiling Ceremony for Plaques Recognizing Slaves Who Built Capitol

Speaker Nancy Pelosi hosted an unveiling ceremony for plaques to recognize the contributions of enslaved African Americans in the construction of the United States Capitol this afternoon in the Rayburn Room of the Capitol.

Also in attendance were , Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Congressman John Lewis, Senator Blanche Lincoln, and Members of Congress.

Rep. Lewis’ online office has a brief history posted of the role slaves played in the Capitol’s construction,

Enslaved African-Americans played an integral part in the construction of the U.S.Capitol working as carpenters, masons, rafters, roofers, plasterers, painters,and glazers working in quarries, in addition to many other occupations. Slave women and children were used to mold clay in kilns.  All of the slaves worked 12-hour days, six days a week and were paid five dollars a month which was given to their owners. There were more than 400 slaves involved in the construction of the Capitol who were rented from area plantations.

One place where the handiwork of slaves is visible is in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, which is a former meeting place for the House of Representatives that has been turned into an art gallery. Smooth, polished marble columns soar three stories high.

In her remarks, Speaker Pelosi noted,

“Over the past decade, the Slave Labor Task Force worked to document the history of slave laborers who constructed the walls of the United States Capitol.  We all know that by now, and we know of the valuable contribution of the Reid family.  Out of a dark chapter in our past, an age of equality denied, rights refused, a dream not yet realized, these masons, carpenters, painters, and others gave us this house of liberty and this beacon of hope for our nation, and indeed, the world.

History books up until now had not reported their story, nor described the pivotal role they played in erecting the Capitol.  That the tale will be written forever into these walls, etched into this structure, and spoken from this marble chamber.  Today, it is enshrined in these plaques, which state: ‘This original exterior wall was constructed between 1793 and 1800 of sandstone, quarried by enslaved African Americans, who were an important part of the labor force that built the United States Capitol.

For all to see and read and savor and treasure and value when they visit this Capitol of the United States.  Never again will their contribution go unrecognized.”

Executive Editor. Blogger.

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3 Responses to Unveiling Ceremony for Plaques Recognizing Slaves Who Built Capitol

1. Jake Prufrock says:

   6:47pm June 18, 2010 at 6:47 pm

   Any slave who helped build the United States Capitol was not an American citizen; thus, no "enslaved African Americans" helped to build it.

   Reply
2. Poor Blacks says:

   7:33pm June 18, 2010 at 7:33 pm

   Oh shame, blacks always need a leg up. They can't do anything by themselves. Someone always has to show them the way. If blacks were truly smart they would realise that separating themselves from other races would be the best solution for all. Nothing will ever come from a Multicultural nation. Unity is strength, diversity is weakness!

   Reply
   • tomas says:

     2:08pm June 19, 2010 at 2:08 pm

     Whether every detail in your post is correct, I do not know. I do know this however, Blacks in a White civilization such as ours will always form an underclass. This must lead to violence. The only way to avoid this is for Blacks to live their God given destinies under their own power. I am talking seperation – not segregation. Nations have been partitioned in the past. It is not impossible.

     I believe that seperation would cause us to live with respect to each other rather than in the current hatred.

     Reply