Confronting Slavery at Long Island’s Oldest Estates

Joseph McGill first unrolled bedding in a former slave cabin in 1999. He was participating in a documentary about Civil War re-enactors and the controversy over the Confederate battle flag, and the producers asked Mr. McGill — an African-American museum professional...

Dwelling in the past, but not dwelling on it

“It’s a good thing Joe McGill doesn’t believe in ghosts. Some people would say he spends an awful lot of time around them. McGill travels the country sleeping in some of the darkest corners of American history — the places where slaves once lived. On Friday...

Experiencing a touch of slave life at Bush-Holley House

In the nearly three dozen former slave quarters that Joseph McGill Jr. has slept in, he said he’s never felt the presence of the oppressed inhabitants. Nor does he want to. “I am not hoping for that to happen. Because those folks who experienced that place...

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