Memorial to the Enslaved

Goodwood Museum & Gardens, a former plantation, will create a memorial to all people enslaved on the property from approximately 1832 until 1865.  The memorial will be one of a few of its kind in the United States, where a former Plantation puts in the forefront that the lifestyle “celebrated” by the owners was only possible due to the labor of enslaved individuals.

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Our Vision

At Goodwood Museum, we envision a future where truth, remembrance, and reconciliation shape our collective understanding of history. Through the creation of a memorial honoring the more than 250 men, women, and children enslaved on this land between 1832 and 1865, we confront the legacy of slavery with honesty and compassion. This sacred space will serve as a place of reflection, education, and healing – uniting descendants, visitors, and the broader community to honor the resilience, culture, and humanity of those once enslaved here. By acknowledging the painful truths of our past, we affirm dignity, justice, equality, and a shared commitment as a bridge to a more inclusive future.

The memorial will be a sacred and contemplative place that brings together descendants, the community, and more than 45,000 visitors each year to educate, remember, and honor cultures and traditions, to promote healing in the present, and to serve as inspiration for equality and social justice in the future. The memorial will feature overhead panels which will list the names of 251 persons known to be enslaved at Goodwood and will be a site for sober contemplation and remembrance. It will also be a site for meeting, teaching, community engagement, and healing.

The Memorial is an initiative of Goodwood’s Board and professional leadership. They realized that American society had evolved since Goodwood Museum began operation in 1996 and concluded that its mission needed to be broadened. In 2021, the leadership began a rigorous initiative to reorient that interpretative framework to include information about the former plantation’s connection to slavery.

The Memorial addresses social inequality through an understanding and admittance of slavery through remembrance, education, and contemplation. The memorial will communicate the truth about slavery at Goodwood in a compassionate and factual way. And because Goodwood’s past mirrors Florida’s history, the Memorial will be symbolic of both the past and the hope for the future.

Where will the Memorial be Located?

A permanent outdoor memorial site has been chosen at Goodwood. It will be located at the front of the property adjacent to Miccosukee Road, on a half-acre space adorned with several large live oaks and a bank of azaleas. The design has been approved by the Architectural Review Board of the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation.

When will the Memorial be Constructed?

Construction is planned to begin in 2027. The cost to construct the Memorial is estimated at $1.5 million.

How Can You Support This Legacy Project?

The Memorial to the Enslaved Project is being led by former Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and his wife, Jane. Individuals who are interested in supporting this legacy project can ensure its success by serving on Standing Committees and inviting presentations to their social and professional organizations.

Want to get involved? Email: Director@goodwoodmuseum.org

To make financial contributions, email Development@goodwoomuseum.org, or donate via the “Support the Memorial” link above.

For more information about Goodwood and the people once enslaved on the property, see the About Goodwood section below.

History

The history of enslavement in North Florida, including Goodwood, was recently featured in the documentary “Invisible History: Middle Florida’s Hidden Roots” by FSU filmmaker Valerie Scoon, a member of the Memorial Committee. This is currently being shown on public broadcasting stations across the United States, and is available for viewing by public broadcast members at https://www.pbs.org/video/invisible-history-middle-floridas-hidden-roots-5zhkcl/ It may be available to the general public at a later date.

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