A Lesser-Known Black History Museum is Receiving a Revamp and Much-Needed Recognition

Just under 10 miles from the U.S. capital lies a townhouse in Alexandria, Virginia, that unlocks some of America’s darkest chapters: it was once the headquarters of the Franklin and Armfield Slave Pen, one of the largest domestic slave-trading firms of the 1800s. Today, it operates as the Freedom House Museum, providing a rare insight into the traumatic stories of the countless men, women, and children sold into slavery from 1315 Duke Street. “We believe this stretch of Duke Street represents ground zero for the narrative of the domestic slave trade in the United States,” remarked Audrey P. Davis, director of Alexandria’s African American History division, in an interview with the National Trust for Historic Preservation shortly after the museum reopened in its current form on Juneteenth 2022.

As a former resident and a scholar of African American history, I was astonished to learn about this museum. After my recent visit, I feel compelled to share it with everyone else.

What is the historical significance of this location?

In 1828, Isaac Franklin and John Armfield leased this building and three surrounding lots, transforming it into a “slave jail”—a holding facility that confined enslaved individuals as if they were livestock. This expansive complex became a vital part of their operations, and over the next eight years, they forcibly transported more than 3,750 men, women, and children, either by boat or on foot, to be sold at Southern slave markets and plantations. The slave jail continued to function for other slavery businesses until the Civil War, when the Union Army took control, converting it into a military prison; it later served as a boarding house, then a hospital, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Ultimately, in 2020, the City of Alexandria acquired the property from the Northern Virginia Urban League, which had operated a small exhibit in the basement; the city aimed to enhance the museum and offer a more immersive and authentic visitor experience. It reopened to the public on Juneteenth 2022.

In the next phase of that initiative, the city has announced a renovation for the Freedom House Museum to restore the building to its historical appearance during the time of Franklin and Armfield’s operations. This project commenced this Juneteenth and is anticipated to be completed by 2025. The good news is that the museum will remain open throughout the renovation process.

What exhibits does the museum feature?

From the outside, the three-story yellow-brick townhouse blends seamlessly with the other buildings on the block. However, inside, visitors are welcomed into the first-floor exhibit (titled 1315 Duke Street), where a replica of a slave ship manifest is displayed along the main hallway. In the following room, the floor is adorned with a map illustrating the breadth of Franklin and Armfield’s domestic slave trade network in the 1830s.

As a nearby wall panel describes, the property functioned as a slave pen, confining individuals awaiting transport to the South. “They were isolated from the outside world by brick walls approximately 14 feet high,” it notes. “A corridor with grated iron doors kept them locked in.” At night, they were shackled to one another and to the floor.

The exhibit also highlights archaeological artifacts and the personal narratives of those who were trafficked through the domestic slave trade. I was particularly struck by the story of the Edmonson sisters, Mary and Emily, who were sold into slavery for sexual exploitation. While it’s generally known that rape was part of the slave system, I had never seen historical accounts of individuals specifically sold for that purpose. One of the historians present during my visit explained that sexual violence was a critical aspect of Franklin and Armfield’s notorious legacy, as evidenced by sales documents indicating that some young, often light-skinned African American girls were sold at three times the typical price for enslaved individuals.

The second floor features the Determination: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality exhibit, which chronicles four centuries of Black history in Virginia. A companion exhibit titled Determined in Alexandria highlights stories of triumph that contributed to the local community's development. Finally, the third floor showcases Before the Spirits Are Swept Away, a collection of paintings depicting African American landmarks by the late artist Sherry Z. Sanabria.

This museum is crucial for educating the public and honoring those who suffered these atrocities. I have conducted extensive research on the Black experience in America, which often begins with the Transatlantic Slave Trade and leads directly to the antebellum lives of my ancestors; discovering more about these facilities and the men who owned them has enriched my understanding.

Plan your visit

Alexandria has been the site of numerous significant events and milestones in Black history and culture.

Things to Do
After visiting the Freedom House Museum, make sure to explore the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Shiloh Baptist Church (which originated as a congregation of 50 formerly enslaved individuals in 1863), and the lifesize monument honoring the Edmonson sisters, who escaped slavery and became prominent figures in the abolitionist movement. The Manumission Tour Company offers guided tours focused on Alexandria’s Black history and culture, or you can enjoy a self-guided walk along the African American Heritage Trail by the waterfront.

Dining Options

The city’s tourism organization, Visit Alexandria, provides a list of Black-owned businesses and eateries, including The Rub Chicken & Beer and Harambee Books & Artworks.

Accommodations

Consider staying at the Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection, a boutique hotel by Marriott located just a short walk from the Freedom House Museum and other attractions in the city’s historic district.