WASHINGTON (AP) — The Smithsonian's National Museum
of African American History and Culture is planning an exhibit with Thomas
Jefferson's Monticello to explore the third president's history with slavery.
Museum officials say "Jefferson and Slavery at
Monticello: Paradox of Liberty" will tackle the sensitive subject of
slavery during the American Revolution. Jefferson called slavery an
"abominable crime" but was a lifelong slaveholder.
The exhibit announced Tuesday will open in January
at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The black history
museum is under development and is slated to open in its own building on the
National Mall in 2015.
At Monticello in Virginia, curators are beginning a
long-term restoration of Mulberry Row, which included 21 dwellings for enslaved
and free workers at the plantation. An exhibit on Mulberry Row opens in
February.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
