" The 3rd Floor " Slave Quarters of Pomona Hall
Pomona Hall was the Big House of the Slave Plantation in the 1700's.
It presently sits at Euclid & Park Blvd, in Camden, NJ.
In 2002 I asked to photograph Pomona Hall. Upon returning I was told by Museum Curator, Judith Synder that it had been a Slave Plantation in the 1700's. While shooting as I approached the 3rd fl, there was a very strong errie presence. I knew the slaves had lived in this space. Later the Historical Society found documentation validating that fact. The story of slavery in Pomona Hall had been kept a secret since the Camden County Historical Society leased the builing in 1924. However, I revealed these truths in an interview at the society in 2003. Shortly after, the Camden County Historical Society went some what - public and now includes the slave documentation in a Slavery Records Exhibit in Pomona Hall on the 2nd fl.
Bev Collins-Roberts 2003
Website Design ~ Bev Roberts 2003 - 2007
Photography is Copyrighted by Beverly Collins-Roberts 1979 - 2007
All Rights Reserved
Evidence of Slaves at
Pomona Hall
From Joseph Cooper's Will
1749: 1 slave
A Negro man ....L 60:00:00
From Hannah Dent Cooper's inventory 1754: 1 slave
"in ye room over ye kitchen vizt, a Negro's flock bed old, with 2 blankets, 2 coverlids... L 30:00:00"
From Issac Cooper's will 1768: 14 slaves
it continues ...
Since then a lot has changed.
On July 23rd, 2005 a Documentary Film called "Unhushed" was made of the Plantation Pomona Hall, through "The Still Standing Project "and Co-Produced by Scribe Video Center of Philadelphia, Pa. There was a Purification Ceremony in the 3rd Floor Attic- the previous Slave Quarters in the 1700's. Read the Article
The Camden County Historical Society who actually kept the secret of the Slave Plantation for many many years - became a Co-Sponsor of The Still Standing Project - supporting our efforts in revealing the trurh of Slavery & Plantations in Camden, NJ. President of the Society, Richard Pillatt and Director of Programming were very instrumental in making the co-sponsorship a reality. I thank them for their heartfelt support.
October 1st 2005 marked the 1st day of the 4 week Historic Slave Route Tour which ended each week at Pomona Hall which was the last stop of the tour.
For the 1st time ever - the public was allowed to view the 3rd fl - Slave Quarters of our African Ancestors.
Don't let it end there. Tell others and continue to contact the Camden County Historical Society at
(856) 964-3333. Insist on visiting the Slave Quarters of the 3rd fl. Attic and the Slave Exhibition on the 2nd fl of Pomona Hall. Keep in mind, that the historical society charges a fee for the whole tour of Pomona Hall.
A lot has changed? Or has it? Bev Collins-Roberts 2006
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