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Uncovering the Sad Truth: Slave Pens Were Everywhere in Washington in the 1860s

Uncovering the sad truth of the past, Slave Pens existed in and around all of Washington in the 1860s. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. Learn more at the Library of Congress.
Smith Commons ground floor
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The sad truth is that slave pens existed in and around all of Washington. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. We dug these up at the Library of Congress.

"Slave pen, Alexandria, Va." Shows interior with slave pens at left. Across an open courtyard is a barred door with a barred door and soldier standing at left. An officer stands behind barred door. Wood debris in foreground. Five slave pens at left.
“Slave pen, Alexandria, Va.” Shows interior with slave pens at left. Across an open courtyard is a barred door with a barred door and soldier standing at left. An officer stands behind barred door. Wood debris in foreground. Five slave pens at left.
"Slave pen, Alexandria, Va." Shows interior with slave pens at left. Soldier stands to left of barred door; two men behind barred door look through and grip bars. Of the four slave pens to the left, two have doors open.
“Slave pen, Alexandria, Va.” Shows interior with slave pens at left. Soldier stands to left of barred door; two men behind barred door look through and grip bars. Of the four slave pens to the left, two have doors open.

Source: Library of Congress

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