tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post4622907082195072547..comments2024-02-02T16:38:55.888-06:00Comments on Photo Journey: The Old Slave HouseKennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-58870984795903306242016-01-01T19:47:51.728-06:002016-01-01T19:47:51.728-06:00As I previously stated on November 24, 2009, the ...As I previously stated on November 24, 2009, the stories Sisk has been promoting for many, many years is total fiction. In 2014, Wagner led a team of archaeologists to find out a few things no one knew about the Illinois historic site. He completed his final report for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency this month. The site’s official name is the Hickory Hill State Historic Site, from the Crenshaw family name for the estate. The team used remote sensing the investigation, including ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistance meters and a magnetometer. This equipment, and digging sample cores, contributed to the discovery of the layout of the house’s yard – including the fancy privy. <br /><br />The team found evidence of a dirt cellar that was likely part of servants’ quarters, the outline of the original garden, a summer kitchen, a well, a carriage drive and a find that contradicts the legend – a back porch immediately behind the house. The presence of the back porch, and the uncovering of the carriageway, indicate that carriages pulled up to the back porch in plain sight – in other words, not for smuggling but for elegance and convenience. It indicates the house itself is not likely to have been used the way local legend tells. <br /><br />Architecture experts explored the inside of the house, including the infamous third floor. The third floor, popularly believed to be haunted, was divided into a series of small rooms. These rooms were supposedly a holding facility and sometimes part of a slave-breeding operation. The investigation does not support that legend either. Robert Swenson, a retired architecture professor at SIU, removed paint and wood samples from the attic rooms and found they had been constructed and finished the same time as the lower floors of the house, and modeled the interior to resemble the small cabins on a steamship.<br /><br />Again, shame on Sisk and Musgrave for telling and promoting such lies!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-89128889447127559462016-01-01T19:47:15.365-06:002016-01-01T19:47:15.365-06:00As I previously stated on November 24, 2009, the ...As I previously stated on November 24, 2009, the stories Sisk has been promoting for many, many years is total fiction. In 2014, Wagner led a team of archaeologists to find out a few things no one knew about the Illinois historic site. He completed his final report for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency this month. The site’s official name is the Hickory Hill State Historic Site, from the Crenshaw family name for the estate. The team used remote sensing the investigation, including ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistance meters and a magnetometer. This equipment, and digging sample cores, contributed to the discovery of the layout of the house’s yard – including the fancy privy. <br /><br />The team found evidence of a dirt cellar that was likely part of servants’ quarters, the outline of the original garden, a summer kitchen, a well, a carriage drive and a find that contradicts the legend – a back porch immediately behind the house. The presence of the back porch, and the uncovering of the carriageway, indicate that carriages pulled up to the back porch in plain sight – in other words, not for smuggling but for elegance and convenience. It indicates the house itself is not likely to have been used the way local legend tells. <br /><br />Architecture experts explored the inside of the house, including the infamous third floor. The third floor, popularly believed to be haunted, was divided into a series of small rooms. These rooms were supposedly a holding facility and sometimes part of a slave-breeding operation. The investigation does not support that legend either. Robert Swenson, a retired architecture professor at SIU, removed paint and wood samples from the attic rooms and found they had been constructed and finished the same time as the lower floors of the house, and modeled the interior to resemble the small cabins on a steamship.<br /><br />Again, shame on Sisk and Musgrave for telling and promoting such lies! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-62236475599616450182015-09-18T17:37:30.924-05:002015-09-18T17:37:30.924-05:00It looks like you're new to America, so welcom...It looks like you're new to America, so welcome to the U.S.A.! While it probably wouldn't have been safe to travel as a black woman when the Old Slave House was built, it's perfectly safe to travel here in this modern era. There are many historical places to see here in Southern Illinois.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-89399006062620128722015-09-18T14:54:50.301-05:002015-09-18T14:54:50.301-05:00Hello. I am an African American historian/blogger...Hello. I am an African American historian/blogger from Chicago that travel the U.S. locating African American hidden treasures. I would like to know about the history of the Old Slave House and the Underground Railroad in the southern part of Illinois. I am a African American woman. Is it safe to travel as a black woman to that part of Illinois? Your comments are appreciated. Thanks.Tammyhttp://www.sankofatravelher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-90663577460899926132015-07-21T22:57:29.401-05:002015-07-21T22:57:29.401-05:00I meant to say, so that I could "not" se...I meant to say, so that I could "not" see them.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-87317756273324897412015-07-21T22:56:26.454-05:002015-07-21T22:56:26.454-05:00Alex Smith - I don't have any further informat...Alex Smith - I don't have any further information on the place and it doesn't seem like the state of Illinois is interested in opening it back up any time soon. I've been there recently, and seen people there at the place. When they realized that I might be able to see them, I was using an extremely long lens on my camera, they ducked down so I could see them. This sounds like they're using the Old Slave House for another purpose, one they're not too eager to have anyone else know about.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-81741890056951051572015-07-21T17:34:55.733-05:002015-07-21T17:34:55.733-05:00Does anyone have any other information about this ...Does anyone have any other information about this place? I'm eager to learn more being the curious 23 year old I am. Also does anyone know if the state is going to open this place back up? I feel as if it is a vital part to our states history.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00469351868308060967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-31177735213098003552015-07-21T17:33:21.655-05:002015-07-21T17:33:21.655-05:00Does anybody have any other information about this...Does anybody have any other information about this place? I never knew it existed until today and being the curious 23 year old that I am I wanna know more. I'm really curious to know if the state is going to be opening it back up to the public but that seems to be the million dollar question here.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00469351868308060967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-2975833171297276022015-05-14T10:48:28.202-05:002015-05-14T10:48:28.202-05:00Teresa;You are correct in being proud of General L...Teresa;You are correct in being proud of General Lawler, he was a strong anti slaver voice in southern Illinois and U.S.Grant said, "As for just plain hard fighting give Mike Lawler any day." I believe the stories about Mr. Crenshaw are much exagerated, as a matter of fact, the long time proprieter of the place said, "I gave the public what they wanted'. Mr Crenshaw while not neceesarlly a saint was a man of his time and conducted his life as if he was still in Kentucky. Matnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-59738724648284402002015-05-14T10:38:10.330-05:002015-05-14T10:38:10.330-05:00I am a member of the historical society in the are...I am a member of the historical society in the area, we have recently toured the house and even more recently had a lecture on the subject. Both time the tour and lecture where conducted by the archeologist who had recently completed the archeological investigation of the ground. First of all there was no salt mine so to speak, what there was was salt springs and the water was boiled to evaporate the water to retreive the salt. The evidence also showed that no slaves lived in the attack but in houses in the back of the house. The attack or third floor was built for guest visiting the mansion. The bars and such up stairs where added by the tour opperator during the mid 1900's. There is also no evidence thaat Uncle Bob was ever even in the house let alone fathered hundreds of kids. There is alot of interesting truth that is just as compeling however. The house today is in much needed repair. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-3497770752780084472015-01-03T02:43:44.863-06:002015-01-03T02:43:44.863-06:00I keep trying to comment & reply to you all &a...I keep trying to comment & reply to you all & it keeps kicking me off!! Uggg! Anyway, I remember going here, I wont give a specific age BC I'm not sure, so I will guess 5-7, I remember walking in with my dad,mom,sister,& a guide I guess, anyway, at the end, it was my mom & I, I remember a display case, then cells, then a blood curdling screaming from my mom, and with a blink of an eye, we were back outside , I don't care what anyone says, this place needs to be opened to the public, I have been kicked off here a total of 8 tines just typing this, so if something is misspelled, I'm sorry, just tryin to enter my piece Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-92061107545255988502014-11-04T20:23:06.373-06:002014-11-04T20:23:06.373-06:00Check out the book 'HICKORY HILL', availab...Check out the book 'HICKORY HILL', available on Amazon. I think it's the closest thing to finding out what may have happened on Hickory Hill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-52262094366553973542014-08-07T22:42:26.715-05:002014-08-07T22:42:26.715-05:00None that I am aware of.None that I am aware of.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-9883896533304230432014-08-03T13:20:35.759-05:002014-08-03T13:20:35.759-05:00Has there been any updates recently?Has there been any updates recently?ambernicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-31183088483256091972014-08-03T13:20:15.963-05:002014-08-03T13:20:15.963-05:00Has there been any updates recently?Has there been any updates recently?ambernicolenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-3309261660375240982014-05-29T00:05:23.269-05:002014-05-29T00:05:23.269-05:00Irv Logan, I've been wondering the same thing...Irv Logan, I've been wondering the same thing. I'm a Crenshaw. My grandfather was originally from Tipton County TN . His father Junnie Crenshaw later moved to St. Louis. Ironically Tipton County is where this awful guy sold free African Americans, slaves, and his children by these women into slavery. Next time I visit my great aunt in STL I'll have to ask her what she knows about this. And yes most of my Crenshaw family could "pass" especially the older generation. LOL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-47135297734932061782014-03-02T18:58:13.294-06:002014-03-02T18:58:13.294-06:00I think they keep stalling, hoping people will for...I think they keep stalling, hoping people will forget about it. That's because they seem to be using it for another purpose. I was there within the last year and I saw somebody sitting on the porch. After noticing me noticing him, he ducked down where he couldn't be seen. If the State of Illinois is not using it, then somebody needs to report that there are unauthorized people in it.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-37570840712644412892014-03-02T16:11:20.363-06:002014-03-02T16:11:20.363-06:00What is the hold up with this place? I don't ...What is the hold up with this place? I don't know if I buy the many years of funding issues either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-38629772208498719012014-03-02T16:07:11.878-06:002014-03-02T16:07:11.878-06:00What is the hold up with this place? I don't ...What is the hold up with this place? I don't know if I buy the many years of funding issues either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-48448426007051281222014-03-02T16:06:48.740-06:002014-03-02T16:06:48.740-06:00What's the real hold up on opening this house ...What's the real hold up on opening this house back up? And is it safe to go down the lane to STOP for a closer look? (NOT GETTING OUT OF CAR) AT BARRICADE???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-11197064245085659842014-01-25T14:52:14.975-06:002014-01-25T14:52:14.975-06:00Theresa Marie, you do have a right to post your op...Theresa Marie, you do have a right to post your opinion and I'm glad you have left this message. But, if we were to burn this place down, it would forever remove a living symbol of what happened here and future generations wouldn't know of the horrors and atrocities that took place here, or wouldn't or couldn't believe they actually happened. I think it needs to remain here so we will never forget what happened.Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15714630010955343769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-25694746332495200212014-01-25T12:56:25.746-06:002014-01-25T12:56:25.746-06:00MrHEBREW1 has a documentary on YouTube called The ...MrHEBREW1 has a documentary on YouTube called The Old Slave House which is where I heard of this place and I highly recommend watching it. Hickory Hill was The Reverse Underground Railroad only to bring people back in to slavery when they thought they were going to be free in the North. I watched a television show about tortured slaves from the South who were haunting an old plantation and the medium said the souls want the house burned to the ground and I believe this should be the case with Hickory Hill. I am sure I will get a lot of negative feedback from my comment but it is my opinion and I do have a right to that! Free those tortured souls and burn the place down!Theresa Marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-64338854702026096552014-01-25T12:55:58.514-06:002014-01-25T12:55:58.514-06:00MrHEBREW1 has a documentary on YouTube called The ...MrHEBREW1 has a documentary on YouTube called The Old Slave House which is where I heard of this place and I highly recommend watching it. Hickory Hill was The Reverse Underground Railroad only to bring people back in to slavery when they thought they were going to be free in the North. I watched a television show about tortured slaves from the South who were haunting an old plantation and the medium said the souls want the house burned to the ground and I believe this should be the case with Hickory Hill. I am sure I will get a lot of negative feedback from my comment but it is my opinion and I do have a right to that! Free those tortured souls and burn the place down!Theresa Marienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-51366414230160658842014-01-19T23:31:14.617-06:002014-01-19T23:31:14.617-06:00My Grandfather took Me and My Cousin there in the ...My Grandfather took Me and My Cousin there in the early '70 s......I didn't see any ghosts....but do remember the shackles! This is the same day He took Us to see the old Saline county Jail and jailhouse where My Great Grandfather was Sheriff and My family lived in the 1930's.......funny how time and loved ones vanish with time! RJAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13484263126705332169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1281641997110788159.post-88038802005425366302013-11-27T10:31:11.795-06:002013-11-27T10:31:11.795-06:00Hi Teresa...Came across while driving..I am gggg g...Hi Teresa...Came across while driving..I am gggg grand son of Crwnshaw. Email me at Milo@big sky.net. I have complete geneolgy from John Had forward. Crenshaws name was John Hart Crenshaw..Mike BowlingDumb Cowboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06363047580083795795noreply@blogger.com