A.C.O.R.N. in partnership with the City of Richmond, the Slave Trail Commission and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has begun a archaeological survey on the site in Shockoe Bottom that was once Lumpkin’s Jail, the largest and best-known slave pen and boarding house located in antebellum Richmond.

FOUND! Pottery, glass, nails, wood, slate shingles were among the artifacts found in the April 2006 archaeological survey! The long awaited Phase I archaeological survey has been completed at the site where Lumpkin's slave jail once stood - just north of the Main Street Station, adjacent to the elevated railroad tracks. This city-owned parking lot was located through the use of 1835 map of Richmond’s lot locations superimposed onto the modern landscape to come up with very accurate survey coordinates. City surveyors located the lot lines in the city-owned parking lot behind Main Street Station, overlooking I-95. This survey was sponsored by the City of Richmond, the Richmond Slave Trail Commission, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the A.C.O.R.N., and businesses in Shockoe Bottom. This Phase I survey was conducted by James River Institute for Archaeology (JRI) and has produced significant artifacts that have indicated this site is indeed the location of the Lumpkin Jail - one of the largest slave auction sites at the time of the Civil War. While standing on the site, Dr. Matt Laird, partner and senior researcher with JRI, commented, “It was quite exciting to stand on the location of the jail (give or take a few feet!)â€�

In the near future, JRI will continue with Phase II of this urban archaeological endeavor that will hopefully produce historic relics to help bring this significant piece of Richmond’s history to the forefront.

ABOUT THE SLAVE TRAIL COMMISSION

MISSION STATEMENT
To promote awareness of the history and legacy of slavery in Richmond primarily in the geographical area where the slave trade flourished prior to the Civil War; to publicly acknowledge Richmond’s enslaved Africa Americans as well ad their impact on the development of the city; to assist, where possible, in the preservation of historical materials, sites, structures and artifacts related to this aspect of Richmond history for the purpose of gaining wider understanding and education about the role of slavery in human history.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND GOALS

• The Night Walk Along the Slave Trail was established and is now part of the annual Junteenth Celebration.
• The Slave Trail along the James River and Manchester Docks has been designated as a Historic Landmark
• The Historic Winfree Cottage will be placed near the Lumpkin’s Jail site, refurbished and used as an informational Center along the Slave Trail
• The Lumpkin’s Jail Site has been identified and the Archaeological Survey of the site has begun
• The Reconciliation Statue has arrived in Richmond and will be placed at the corner of 15th and E. Main streets in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.