TheProject

The Still Standing Project

How it all came about...

While participating in a photography exhibit held at Pomona Hall in Camden, NJ in 2002, it was revealed to me that the building had been a former slave plantation during the mid 1700’s! This information was shared with me by the late Judith Snyder, former director of the Camden County Historical Society. The fact that Pomona Hall had been a Slave Plantation was kept secret until I revealed it in 2003 in my interview with Hoag Levins. Even tho it was leased in 1924 from the city of Camden to the Camden County Historical Society, that was never revealed.

I was shocked and appalled enough to begin my consuming and extensive research of the role slavery played in the North, particularly in Cooper’s Ferry, later to be known as Camden, NJ. The city played a pivotal role in the history of the state of New Jersey in particular and to World History relative to the institution of slavery, an international act of epic proportions and a crime against humanity.

In telling the story of African Americans in Camden, NJ, it is not to only reveal the magnitude of the recent disclosure of slavery and its implications, but to also give a voice and a face to a People— to recognize them as Human beings! Who they have been, Who they are and Who they may become.

Even though Camden has been in a state of decline for the past 40 – 50 years;

Its’ People, although battle-worn, weary and unsure of their footing - Still Stand!

With truths Un-Hushed! It’s time for a healing to begin as we journey into a new Era.

August 2005

Beverly Collins-Roberts

Timeline …

1-In Feb 2002 I was given permission to photograph Pomona Hall (home of the Camden County Historical Society) I had been part of a Group Art Exhibition there - for Black History Month. (Black History should be celebrated every day)

2- In March 2002 during the shooting of Pomona Hall – I was told by Judith Synder the Museum Director that Pomona Hall had been a Plantation in the 1700’s.

3- I asked to shoot the 3rd fl. Attic which I soon felt had been the place where my Ancestors had lived. I was told didn’t think so. It turned out I was right and was shown the document which proved it. I have a copy of that document.

4- I was given complete access to shoot everywhere in all the adjoining buildings.

5- I began researching Slavery and Plantations in Camden, NJ. Lasted for 3 yrs. Had to keep digging nothing was coming up in the search. Now if you search Slavery in Camden NJ, my website comes up first or the Historical Society's site comes up first, but I'm on it revealing the story of Slavery in Camden, NJ.

6- In 2003 I was asked to do a Solo Exhibition in the Boyer Auditorium.

7- At the Opening Reception I was interviewed by the Society's Website Editor - Hoag Levins. In that Interview I revealed the fact that Pomona Hall had been a Slave Plantation covering over 400 Acres – All of the Park side area in Camden, NJ – my hometown.

This fact had been kept a secret by the Society.

8- A snowball rolling effect was put in gear and began to build momentum.

9- In May 2003 the Historical Society admitted the secrecy and for the first time Slave Documents were displayed on the 2nd floor of Pomona Hall and continues to. Later in 2003 I was given permission to photograph all of the Cooper Papers and Slave related Documents.

10- Oct 19th, 2004 Judy Snyder now the new Executive Director of the Camden County Historical Society, died of Cancer.

11- 2005 didn’t get the Guggenheim Fellowship I hoped for – so I decided to move forward anyway using me and my husband’s money. “The Still Standing Project” was created.

12- From January to October, 2005: I Lectured … was interviewed on a few Radio Programs, on Cable, in Newspapers and Magazines. Everything about the Project was a First! It was a great opportunity to get the word out to the public.

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February - First Photography Exhibition on African Americans - up out of Camden from Slavery to Now started at the Hopkins House Gallery.

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July 25, 2005- First Documentary Film was made about Pomona Hall and the 14 En-Slaved Ancestors. The Camden County Historical Society, The Walt Whitman Arts Center and the William Still Underground RR Foundation in Ohio, became Co-Sponsors of “The Still Standing Project” for all events through October 2005.

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August 7th 2005 - First Silent Procession to the Slave Auction Block site at Mickle Blvd.

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August 7th – October 30th The Still Standing Art Exhibition about the journey of African Americans - up out of Camden from Slavery to Now, at the Walt Whitman Arts Center.

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First “Still Standing” Awards Ceremony for African Americans - up out of Camden from Slavery to Now. 50 awards were given covering 18th 19th 20th and 21st Centurys.

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October-First Slave Route Tour

Included - Auction Block, (2) Plantations owned by the Coopers and including the 3rd fl. Attic at Pomona Hall.

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That year also the Oral History Interviews began of the Elders – tracing their lives back to Slavery in the South, from the islands. The interviews are on going.

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I also was allowed to photograph the basement of Macedonia AME Church – First time it had been photographed. It was a major Underground Railroad Station in New Jersey.

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In my research, I found information validating the fact that my Great Great Uncle, William Still hid and helped get the Enslaved Africans across the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Camden, NJ en-route to Snow Hill (Lawnside) or further north towards NY or Canada.

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During the 1st 3 years of research everything began to connect I began to understand that Camden was an integral part of the History of America.

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I also discovered that our Ancestors were directly shipped to Coopers Ferry, from Ghana, Gambia and Guinea by way of Schooners.

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I won the Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grant in June 2007 to assist me in continuing my research in the homeland.

I went to Ghana in 2008 for (1) month to do so.

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I continued Lecturing on Slavery and Plantations in Camden, NJ through the early part of 2008.

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The Still Standing Exhibition is being revamped. It now will consist of life size in your face images which will include the new images from my trip to Ghana. It will be a multi-media event which will consist of images, video clips of the Oral History Interviews, artifacts and much more. It is called "The Fabric of America Exhibition" and is scheduled to open in 2012, but its only now scheduled to open October 1st 2022 at "Idea Center For The Arts"

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The new Documentary Film called "The Journey" did not Debut as thought in June 2010, However the" World Premiere" did happen on November 14, 2010 at Rutgers Gordon Theater in my beloved Camden, NJ.

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I also won the Leeway Art and Change Grant 2009 and the Leeway Transformation Award for 2009. This helped me make "The Journey" a full feature documentary film.

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It has been (20) years since I discovered Slavery & Plantations in Camden, NJ in 2002. The project actually began in 2005 as I started revealing this hidden history to the people.

It has been rewarding yet painful. I would not want to do it again.

My life has not been the same.

I do however, thank all those who helped make it the success it is.

Beverly Collins-Roberts October 2007

Updated 4-25 2010, & August 20th, 2022

Time Line

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