L'Hermitage Slave Village Archeological Site

L'Hermitage Slave Village is an archaeological site in Frederick County, Maryland containing the remains of six residential structures where roughly 90 enslaved people lived from the late 1700s through the early 1800s. Excavations have uncovered thousands of artifacts including pottery, coins, and personal items scattered across the grounds.

The Vincendière family founded L'Hermitage in 1793 after fleeing Saint-Domingue and brought twelve enslaved people to Maryland against state law at the time. Court documents from the 1790s record multiple cases of serious abuse against enslaved individuals at the site.

Archaeological excavations revealed over 5,000 ceramic pieces, coins, and personal items that document the daily lives of enslaved individuals at L'Hermitage.

The site sits within Monocacy National Battlefield where visitors can explore the grounds and view interpretive displays explaining the archaeological findings. Expect to walk on uneven terrain and plan time to read the information panels placed throughout the area.

Ceramic fragments and personal items discovered at the site reveal details about identity and resistance within the enslaved community that are invisible in official records. These artifacts are carefully preserved and studied to tell a story that written documents alone cannot convey.