Davidson in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026

1. With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 Marker

Inscription.
The sculpture and site are rooted in the heart of Davidson College's historic core, nestled between Oak Row and Elm Row. The site honors the lives entwined with the college's history with enslavement and exploitation, offering a place of reflection, reverence, and deep gratitude for the innumerable contributions these individuals made to the college.

Two cast bronze hands, worn with the weight of years and labor rise from the earth to cradle both ground and guest. In silence they convey toil, resilience, and care — a testament to those whose exploited physical and emotional labor supported others without recognition or recompense. Reaching outward foward the campus and community, the hands invite all to witness and to remember.

Benches radiate outward from the sculpture, drawing the landscape, campus, and visitor into quiet conversation. This space becomes a sanctuary-one that holds and nurtures moments of reflection, reverence, and recognition of our shared humanity.

[Right half is the same text in Braille]

Erected 2025.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Industry & Commerce.

Location.

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35° 30.066′ N, 80° 50.825′ W. Marker is in Davidson, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It can be reached from North Main Street (North Carolina Route 115) north of Depot Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker's location is near the west side of With These Hands Sculpture near Cunningham Theatre Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 N Main St, Davidson NC 28036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Charlotte.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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: Original Chapel of Davidson College (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson College War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson Alumni World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Davidson College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helper Hotel (about 300 feet away); Davidson Veterans Monument (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davidson.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Davidson College (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026

2. With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 Marker

Located at the west side of With These Hands sculpture

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.