The Life of Sally Hemings
Reviewed by: Miaoling Xue
Review start: March 2, 2024
Review updated: March 6, 2024
Site Links:
Archive Link: https://archive.ph/hv0v9
Data Sources
Given the scarcity of first-person narratives from Sally Hemings, the project employs several strategies to bring her and her family’s story to light:
- Plantation records and letters which mention Sally Hemings and other members of the Hemings family
- Observations (external perspectives) by Thomas Jefferson’s contemporary visitors to Monticello
- Legal documents that provide information on the Hemings family
- Archaeological findings from Monticello
- Oral histories (video and audio) collected from descendants of Monticello’s African American community as part of the Getting Word project.
- Photographs, videos, and text to make digital reconstructions of Monticello
Processes
There is no record on their website introducing the detailed processes, but the general processes might include:
- Historical research and comprehensive record examination
- Notes and descriptions written by scholars
- Archaeological excavations at Monticello and documentation
- Oral history interviews with descendants of Monticello, which might be done in collaboration with the Getting Word project.
- Digital showcase through multimedia that provides immersive experience of Sally Hemings’ life
- Web development
Presentation
The Life of Sally Hemings project is presented through two main platforms: the Monticello website and the Getting Word oral history project site, including:
- An interactive online exhibit that explores the life of Sally Hemings through text, images, and other multimedia content
- Detailed narratives on the Hemings family, Sally Hemings’s relationship with Thomas Jefferson, and the lives of their children
- Link to the Monticello main page
- Link to the Getting Word oral history project, which includes interviews with descendants of Monticello’s enslaved families, providing personal interpretations into the family history and the history of slavery
Digital Tools Used
- Digital archiving and database for historical documents and oral history materials
- Video or audio recording and editing tools
- Web development tools for creating the interactive features
Languages
English
Review
The Life of Sally Hemings at Monticello presents a significant work that brings to light the life of an enslaved woman who has long been marginalized in the narrative of both Monticello’s history and broader American history. By integrating diverse historical documents, oral history video and audio materials, archaeological evidence and reconstructions, this project unveiled a multifaceted view of Sally Hemings’ life and the enslaved community at Monticello. This project also utilized multimedia tools to beautifully craft immersive virtual experiences for the audiences, highlighting the complexities of race, gender, family, and community in 18th and 19th century America.
This project is especially compelling in its engagement with the descendants of Monticello’s African American community, as part of its collaboration with the Getting Word project. The lack of direct records from Sally Hemings herself, coupled with the absence of known portraits that would give us a glimpse into her appearance, underscores a broader issue in historical scholarship related to the erasure or absence of certain individuals’ (for most cases, slaves’ and women’s) experiences. However, the project’s researchers have skillfully navigated these challenges by framing them as opportunities to delve deeper into the societal, cultural, and personal contexts that shaped Sally Hemings’s life and the lives of countless other people in her position.
The multimedia and artistic reconstruction of her life and experience also contributes to a nuanced understanding of the family history at Monticello and American history in general. To further improve the user experience, it might be a good idea to incorporate more interactive elements, such as interactive timelines, maps, and 3D models.
The overall navigation is smooth and clear but some audiences might prefer a navigation bar at the top or side so that they can choose the order of viewing. I am really curious about the teamwork behind the scenes so would appreciate a navigation bar directing me to the “About” or “Team” page.
How does this project address information?
The Life of Sally Hemings project’s data processing strategy centers on the scarcity of direct narratives from Sally Hemings herself. They utilize a variety of materials such as letters, legal documents, or records from Monticello descendants to reconstruct Sally Hemings’ life. They collect various data forms including textual, visual and oral materials to create an immersive digital experience.
How well does this project handle information?
The project handles information effectively, presenting a thoughtfully curated digital archive that helps users understand Sally Hemings’ life. The team members construct a narrative throughout the project website that leads users to navigate a multi-dimensional story on Hemings and her family. By providing external links to some related projects like Getting Word, they encourage further exploration by the users.