Man Spends Night In Slave Cabin

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Man Spends Night In Slave Cabin
May 9, 2010
Jon Bruce
ABC News 4


Charleston, SC - Joseph McGill is on a mission to re-write history by stepping back in time. To an era of thriving southern plantations, slave labor and the most modest of accommodations.

"I want to know what was it like," McGill Said.

The local preservationist and historian is conducting what he calls an extreme research experiment in order to experience what life was life as a slave.
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Armed only with a small number of modern amenities, water, a pen and pad for this thoughts and a roaring fire, McGill spent Saturday night in a restored slave cabin on the grounds of Magnolia Plantation; hoping to soak up all the history inside.

A history he says is forgotten.

"American history is not just about heroes. It’s not all about the big white house on the hill," he said. “It's about all those other elements, its about everyday people and I think that by embarking on this project it will help bring that story to the fore."

Ten years ago, McGill spent a similar night in a cabin at Boone Hall Plantation. During the night his mind raced about life in servitude.

“As I was asleep in that cabin, I was awakened suddenly by the sounds of dogs barking in the background and my first thought was if this was the time of slavery that could possibly be some slaves that could escape,“ he said.

His thoughts spawned a flurry of writings and a mission to bring more attention the cabins and there place in history.

"There are some out there that have not been restored, and are not being interpreted," he said. “And I think that with this stay here tonight and the attention that I am getting with this project. It will give it that attention that it so needs.”

D.J. Tucker is the director of African American history at Magnolia Plantation. He's worked to restore the plantations five cabins and welcomed McGill’s experiment.

“It’s the cabins that open the door to illuminating that history,” he said.

Now both men are hoping that by shedding some light on the modest homes, the stories of those that lived within them will see the light of day.