New Memorial Commemorates Enslaved Individuals in Asheboro
A significant initiative to honor the enslaved individuals of Randolph County is set to be unveiled by the Asheboro/Randolph County NAACP. In conjunction with Juneteenth celebrations, this new memorial pays tribute to those whose stories have often been forgotten.
Over the past four years, members of the local NAACP chapter diligently examined historical documents, including old deeds, census records, police archives, and newspaper articles. This extensive research has resulted in the identification of approximately 1,600 enslaved residents in Randolph County.
Chapter President Chip Foust highlighted a common misconception about the region’s history: “People were brought up to believe that there were no slaves in this area, that this was the Quaker belt, and these people were against slavery. But what we now know through research is 10% of Randolph County’s population in 1860 were enslaved individuals.”
The official unveiling of the memorial, featuring the names of these individuals, will take place outside the Randolph County Courthouse at 10 a.m. on Thursday. This event will also include local storytellers who will share insights into the lives of these enslaved individuals. The memorial will remain accessible to the public until Saturday.
