May, 2015
Pictured above is the last remaining building that housed enslaved people at Waveland–the so-called “slave quarters.” Waveland Plantation is just south of Lexington, Kentucky, as you head towards Nicholasville. There were several buildings that housed the 60+ enslaved people at Waveland; this one survived because it was constructed of brick, while the others were of wood. It’s located directly behind the mansion–basically in what you would think of as its “backyard.”
The kitchen on the ground floor was where food was prepared for the Bryan family in the big house. It also served as an all-purpose work space.
A Waveland “slave pass” from 1850.
Living quarters were upstairs.
Honoring the “Patriarchs of Waveland.”
…while on the reverse side–“The Bryan Family Slaves,” including Essex and Gilbert, who are named in the 1850 slave pass pictured earlier.
I’ve written about Lexington and Kentucky’s history of slavery in several other posts:
Kentucky Day Trips 
I read about slave passes while reading “12 Years a Slave,” and before that, I hadn’t really realized that even running a simple errand was fraught with complications that free people never think about.
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12 Years a Slave (the movie) really made me see things with new eyes. I’m glad I got to see it last summer.
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A poignant reminder of our nation’s shameful past.
I’d love to see it.
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The Waveland brochure says something like “if you were a slave, you’d want to be a slave for the Bryan family at Waveland.” 😦
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Dummies shit ever. I bet if the table were turned they wouldn’t trade places with a slave… Smh.
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Deeply entrenched in the “Lost Cause” propaganda!
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