Foxcroft Heights in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Freedman's Village
February 9, 2008
1. Freedman's Village Marker
Inscription.
Freedman's Village. . After the outbreak of the Civil War, escaped slaves sought refuge at Union Camps and thousands crowded into the Federal City. In response to the unhealthy conditions in Washington, the government selected a site on Arlington Heights in May, 1863, to provide freed slaves with housing and opportunities for work, training and education. Freedman’s Village, which was located in Arlington National Cemetery, was soon built and formally dedicated on December 4, 1863. There were over 50 two-story duplex houses, two churches, a school, a meeting hall, hospital and home for the aged and infirm. In time the population exceeded 1,000. Though intended to be temporary, the village lasted into the 1890s, when it was closed and its residents dispersed.
After the outbreak of the Civil War, escaped slaves sought refuge at Union Camps and thousands crowded into the Federal City. In response to the unhealthy conditions in Washington, the government selected a site on Arlington Heights in May, 1863, to provide freed slaves with housing and opportunities for work, training and education. Freedman’s Village, which was located in Arlington National Cemetery, was soon built and formally dedicated on December 4, 1863. There were over 50 two-story duplex houses, two churches, a school, a meeting hall, hospital and home for the aged and infirm. In time the population exceeded 1,000. Though intended to be temporary, the village lasted into the 1890s, when it was closed and its residents dispersed.
Location. 38° 52.124′ N, 77° 4.26′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Foxcroft Heights. Marker is at the intersection of South Oak Street and Southgate Road, on the right when traveling north on South Oak Street. Marker is located at Foxcroft Heights Park. Touch for map
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. Marker is in this post office area: Arlington VA 22209, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Lost Village of Slaves Found. Blog post from the Civil War Librarian. (Submitted on April 27, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
February 9, 2008
2. Freedman's Village Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2008. This page has been viewed 2,066 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2008. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.