Fifth annual Descendants Day honors enslaved ancestors at James Monroe’s Highland

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - Descendants of people enslaved at James Monroe’s Highland and nearby plantations gathered to honor and celebrate their ancestors’ lives, strength and legacy as part of the fifth annual Descendants Day.

Highland Descendant Council of Advisors Chair Jennifer Saylor Stacey says the event began with a simple idea that grew into a community collaboration.

“It started out with a dream about having a reunion, and then it turned into this wonderful event that we have wonderful collaborations throughout the community,” Saylor Stacey said. “It’s an opportunity for the community to come up and see the work that we’ve done in this space and the work that we’re still doing and have just a joyful day of remembering and celebrating.”

This year’s theme is resiliency. Speakers discussed the resiliency of their ancestors and its meaning for future generations.

“Without their perseverance, their determination, their hope, their faith, I wouldn’t be standing here and certainly none of us who are descendants would be,” Saylor Stacey said.

Mary Moorhead, a member of the Highland Descendant Council, says her family has deep ties to the area.

“I grew up on the land that my ancestor got right after enslavement, so I’ve been here,” she said. “My connection to Highland is like I’ve been next to it the whole time. I could hear the music that was coming from here.”

Moorhead’s ancestors were enslaved at a nearby plantation.

“Knowing your past is helpful for your future, so I think everybody knowing where they came from and things like that is very helpful,” she said.

Descendants Day gives voices to those who were held voiceless and celebrates those who stayed resilient.

“While it’s painful to understand their lives here, it’s also a testament to their endurance and that we’re working hard to make sure they’re never forgotten,” Saylor Stacey said.

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