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Sandy Spring Slavery Museum
Dr. Winston Anderson, a professor of biology at Howard University, and his brother, a surgeon, have disassembled a
slave cabin or tenant farmer's cabin, approximately 1850, and reassembled it at its present site. They have furnished the
cabin with reconstructed beds, tables, and other furnishings; also on display is a cross-section of a slaveship with models
of human figures. This personal labor of love is the first step in long term commitment to build a museum building on the
site to interpret the origins and impact of slavery. The focus is well beyond Sandy Springs itself. The two brothers estimate
that they have already spent close to $100,000 on the project.
A long time collector of slave memorabilia, Dr. Anderson has shackles, bills of sale, slave for hire papers, framed
pictures, rare books on slavery, oral tapes, African sculpture and textiles, and more in storage. He estimates there are about
100 artifacts, 100 pictorial, manuscript and printed items, 10 archeological objects, and some examples of contemporary African
and West Indian art.
Number of Items in the Collection: Approximately 350 items.
To contact the Sandy Springs Slave Museum please write the address or call the number(s) provided for you (below).
1629 Hopefield Road, Sandy Spring MD 20905
[Brooke Road (across the road from Ross Boddie Community Center)]
[home]
(301) 384-0727; [work] (202) 806-6950
The photos that you are viewing below is just a glimpse of what is
in stored for you while visiting the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. I became aware of the museum by sheer recognition of a beehive
shape.
During the summer of 2002, while visiting my family in Brookeville Maryland she and I were returning home from
shopping and she decided to take a differnt route home. As she was driving I noticed a structure to our left which resembled
that of a traditional Zulu beehive-shaped hut.
I remembered telling my sister that the structure across the street somewhat
hidden behind trees looked African, and I asked if she would please turn around so that we could check it out. Needless to
say, we turn around and drove onto the property. There were no signs that said keep out, private property, so we felt ok
to continue our probe. Much to our surprise there was a beautiful circular Zulu hut, a slave cabin, and a cross-section of
a slave ship. We were in awe.
My Sister had taken that particular route home to show me Sandy Springs which is one of
the oldest African-American communities in Maryland but much to her surprise she did not know the Slave Museum was hidden
behind those beautiful laurel trees.
At the time of our arrival, the very first person we met
was the electrician. We introduced ourselves and commenced asking question about the museum. The electrician
was very kind and knowlegable, but he was also very busy wiring the building. He told us that Dr. Anderson's son
was in the building and asked us to follow him so that we could meet him. The electrician called for Dr. Anderson's son
and he came out to greet us. The young man was very well spoken, friendly, and brilliant. He gave us an
overview of how the Slave museum got started but he encouraged us to call his father that evening to make an appointment
to return the next day for a grand tour because his Dad would be on location. We thanked the young man and told
him how much we appreciated the information and the mini tour. We left the museum overjoyed to have found
a precious jewel right under our noses.
Yes, I called Dr. Anderson. Yes, we returned to behold such a phenominal
collection of artifacts, art, sculptures, paintings, slave shackles, and many items that you just do not see any more.
The Sandy Spring Slave Museum is truly a must see. I recommend it highly. If you or someone you know will be visiting
the Washington D.C. or Maryland area, do call Dr. Anderson to arrange for a tour for you and your group.
Believe me, once you set foot on the museum ground you will be in complete awe at the extraodinary compilation,
and wealth of African, and African-American history in one location. Enough said for now, but many, many thanks
goes out to the Anderson Family for the gifts and treasure you have bestowed upon the world..
| Gerry at the front door of the slave cabin |
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| Dr. Anderson and his Brother has done a remarkable job of reconstructing and furnishing this cabin. |
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| The rear of the Slave Cabin and the Zulu Hut |
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| Fernando the Llama is a resident of the Slave museum along with several goats and ducks. |
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| Slaves shackles at a glimps |
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