Davidson in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025
Hank Willis Thomas in collaboration with Perkins&Will
Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026
1. With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 Marker
Enslaved people formed the bricks and helped construct Davidson College's original buildings, including the earliest dormitories and debate halls that surround this lawn. Their fingerprints, still visible in the brickwork, are an enduring testament to their contributions. Beginning with the college's founding in 1837 through the Civil War, enslaved laborers worked in nearly every area of the college's operations, including residences, campus grounds, classrooms, and laboratories.
During Reconstruction, emancipated individuals continued to labor on campus in indispensable but underpaid positions. Later, Davidson's leaders adhered to Jim Crow policies that prevented Black employees, including descendants of the enslaved, from voting, owning property, or getting an education.
With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited is one step toward publicly recognizing and commemorating the contributions of these enslaved and exploited individuals, many whose names remain unknown. This site stands as a symbol of Davidson College's ongoing commitment to the quest for truth, research and public education, and acknowledgment of all who are part of our history.
[Right half is the same text in Braille]
Erected 2025.
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 35° 30.047′ N, 80° 50.822′ 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 is located along the path south of the sculpture. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 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: A different marker also named With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, 2025 (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson Alumni World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Davidson College War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Chapel of Davidson College (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); a different marker also named Davidson College
Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026
2. With These Hands Marker, Sculpture is in the background
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).
More about this marker. An identical marker is west of the marker along the sidewalk on North Main Street near Oak Row
Photographed by Mark Parker, May 9, 2026
3. With These Hand sculpture next to Cunningham Theatre Center
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
