MARYLAND STATE ARCHIVES

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: MIMI CALVER 410.260.6444

 

 “A GUIDE TO THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY IN MARYLAND”

PUBLISHED BY THE MARYLAND STATE ARCHIVES

 

Annapolis, January 30, 2008 --- An important new study of slavery in Maryland is now available from the Maryland State Archives. “A Guide to the History of Slavery in Maryland” was unveiled in ceremonies in the General Assembly honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by State Archivist Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse and University of Maryland Professor Dr. Ira Berlin.

 

Aimed primarily at students and their teachers, the 40-page booklet provides an overview of slavery and its legacy in Maryland from its beginnings in the 17th century to the present day, including a joint resolution of apology passed by the Senate and House of Delegates in the 2007 Session. The publication is designed to help high school and college teachers guide their students in an understanding of the institution of slavery and the important role that it has played in the history of the state, from its earliest days to the present.

 

Dr. Berlin, a distinguished professor of history at UMCP and an internationally known scholar on slavery, was instrumental in the inception of the project and wrote the text.  Archives’ staff provided editorial support and the many illustrations, as well as supportive material such as the Timeline of Slavery in Maryland and a suggested bibliography for further study of the subject.  There are also separate sections on the slave experience at two historic Maryland plantations provided by Sotterley in St. Mary's County and Hampton in Baltimore County.

 

“A Guide to the History of Slavery in Maryland” is available from the Maryland State Archives for $10/copy and for $6/copy for orders of more than ten. Please contact Dottie Zimmerman at 410.260.6404 or at msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov.

 

Note to Editors: A high-resolution image of the cover of the Guide can be downloaded from the Archives' website.