Kneading in Silence: A Glimpse into the Life of the Enslaved Cook Judah

This 30-minute presentation discusses the life of Judah, a woman enslaved at Belle Grove Plantation who was the Hite family’s cook. Rare primary source documents reveal insights about her and her family’s life.

The program takes place in the winter kitchen of the Belle Grove Manor House (enter under the front porch).

This program is free of charge, though donations are appreciated. Regular admission applies to tour the Manor House before the program (at 2:15) or after the program (at 4:15). Purchase admission to tour the Manor House in the Welcome Center upon arrival.

The program will be presented by Belle Grove Plantation docents or Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park rangers on these dates:

Sunday, June 29, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 3, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 31, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 26, 3:30 p.m.

This compelling program, which has been offered since 2016, inspired an historical novel by Dr. Brian C. Johnson, Send Judah First: The Erased Life of an Enslaved Soul published in August 2019 by Hidden Shelf Publishing House. It is available on Amazon. The cover art by Megan Whitfield is a pastel rendering of what Judah may have looked like (depicted on this post).

You may also like the following events from Belle Grove Plantation:

• This Wednesday, 25th June, 11:00 am, Wild Wednesday--Water Cycle in Middletown
• Next month, 13th July, 01:00 pm, Kokedama – the Japanese Art of Growing Plants in Middletown
• Next month, 23rd July, 11:00 am, Wild Wednesday--Fire Safety in Middletown

Also check out other Arts events in Middletown.