Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Quest For Knowledge

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2021

1. Quest For Knowledge Marker

Inscription. For over 230 years, the most feared slaves in America were those who were educated. Laws were passed forbidding slave literacy and the penalties were severe for not only the slave but also for anyone who dared to teach them how to read and write. Nevertheless, slaves constantly sought any means available to become literate, even as the rise of harsh whippings or worse. Slaves met secretly to plan how best to escape. The most successful runaways were in fact those who were literate and thusly could more easily negotiate the perilous road to freedom.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Education.

Location. 38° 19.317′ N, 77° 30.51′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Gordon W Shelton Boulevard 0.7 miles north of Willow Lane, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6500 Gordon W Shelton Blvd, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington

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Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Henry "Box" Brown (here, next to this marker); Endurance Through It All (here, next to this marker); Acts of Bravery (here, next to this marker); Abolitionists (a few steps from this marker); Harriet Jacobs (a few steps from this marker); Hallelujah (a few steps from this marker); Voices of the Past (a few steps from this marker); Voices of the Present (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . Abandoned National Slavery Museum. Atlas Obscura article (Submitted on June 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2021

2. Quest For Knowledge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.