Black Laborers in Petersburg

African American labor at Petersburg took on several forms. Both the city and surrounding areas saw not only a large, enslaved population, but also a sizable freedmen community who worked as laborers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. During the nine-and-a-half-month standoff between the U.S. and Confederacy in the American Civil War, African Americans in Petersburg found their labor invaluable for both belligerents’ effort to break the stalemate, leaving behind a complex and compelling history.

Meet the Ranger at the Eastern Front Visitor Center flag pole, for a short walk.