New details on Monroe contraband celebration

By David Macaulay, dmacaulay@dailypress.com | 247-7838
Daily Press
© May 18, 2011

New details on Monroe contraband celebration

HAMPTON - More details have been revealed of a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the contraband of war decision planned for Fort Monroe on May 21 and May 24.

Events on Saturday, May 21 will include an introduction by Master of Ceremonies and WAVY-TV 10 anchor Don Roberts; welcoming remarks by Fort Monroe Post Commander Col. Anthony Reyes and Hampton Mayor Molly Joseph Ward.

There will be a contraband remembrance led by retired House of Delegates member Dr. Mary T. Christian; and guest speakers, including Thulani Davis, great-granddaughter of William Roscoe Davis, a renowned contraband lighthouse keeper at Fort Monroe, and Asa Gordon of the Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Colored Troops, according to the Hampton Convention & Visitors Bureau.

A panel discussion on the contraband decision will be held on May 24, the anniversary of the historic decision, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Post Theatre at Fort Monroe.

History was made in 1861, when three escaped slaves appealed for protection and were judged to be "contraband of war." In the following months, thousands of slaves took refuge behind the Union lines, setting the stage for eventual emancipation.

The Contraband Sesquicentennial Celebration is presented by the Contraband Historical Society, a Hampton-based organization dedicated to preserving the memory of the contrabands. For more event details, the public can call 325-0678 or visit contrabandhistoricalsociety.org.

Entry to Fort Monroe is controlled by the U.S. Army. Visitors must show personal identification at the gate and motorists must show a current motor vehicle registration, state inspection sticker and proof of vehicle insurance.