Friday, June 1, 2001
9:30 a.m.

Call to Order by the Chairman

Chairman Goodwin called the Commission to order at 9:35 a.m. by welcoming everyone to the inaugural meeting of the Commission to Coordinate the Study, Commemoration, and Impact of Slavery's History and Legacy in Maryland. Starting at his left and continuing around the table clockwise, Chairman Goodwin asked each Commissioner to briefly introduce themselves as follows:

Attendees and Introduction of Special Guests

Guest Orlando Ridout, V, is an architectural historian at the Maryland Historical Trust and has done research on antebellum and African American issues.

Dr. Clara L. Small is a professor of History at Salisbury State University. Her major emphasis is on the Eastern Shore and slavery from 1830-1865.

Dr. Charles Christian is an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Maryland in College Park. He just completed a book entitled Black Saga: The African American Experience. Dr. Christian is also the founder of the Black Saga competition, which helps young people learn about the African American experience. Currently this program is in 39 schools throughout the State of Maryland, and Dr. Christian hopes to expand it to the national level in the near future.

Dr. Ira Berlin teaches history at the University of Maryland and has written extensively on the subject of slavery. He also attended a board meeting on May 31 of the Underground Railroad in Cincinnati. Dr. Berlin is pleased to be a part of the group.

Nikki DeJesus Smith is the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Maryland African American Museum Corporation. The museum, which will focus on telling the story of Maryland's African American people, is scheduled to open in late 2003.

The Honorable Emmett C. Burns, Jr. is a member of the General Assembly in the Maryland House of Delegates, as well as a local pastor in Carroll County.

Guest Jerry Hynson is president-elect of the Maryland Genealogical Society, as well as a volunteer at the Maryland State Archives. His next publication will be records of the Maryland colonization society which should be out in September.

Agnes Callum is a genealogist and historian. She is an ardent researcher of Maryland in general and St. Mary's County and Baltimore in particular. Ms. Callum serves on the Board of Preservation Maryland. She has several publications, including Slave Statistics of St. Mary's County Maryland and Colored Volunteers of Maryland, Civil War, 7th Regiment United States Colored Troops and is currently working on another about the 19th regiment.

Ex officio member J. Rodney Little is Director of the Division of Historical & Cultural Programs. He oversees Archaeology; Museum Services; Preservation Services; and Research, Survey, and Registration, as well as being responsible for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and the Maryland Historical Trust.

Ex officio member Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse is State Archivist and Commissioner of Land Patents. He has an abiding interest in the history of Maryland. Apart from being an ex officio member, Dr. Papenfuse commented that it is the role of the Archives to support research goals of the Commission. Dr. Papenfuse is responsible for inviting Jerry Hynson to the meeting not only in his capacity as a volunteer at the Archives, but also because Mr. Hynson is working with Chris Haley on the study of the Underground Railroad in Maryland. Next, Dr. Papenfuse introduced members of the Archives' staff: Chris Haley, Deputy Director of Reference Services and a descendant of Alex Haley; Emily Oland Squires, manager of the Archives' summer internship program; and Kathy Beard, Executive Associate, who agreed to take notes for the Chair for today's meeting.

Chairman Goodwin stated that he is in his 25th year at Morgan State University and is an anthropologist by profession. He is enthralled to be working with such a distinguished Commission: a Commission not all of whose members were born in Maryland, a Commission whose members have diverse expertise, and a Commission whose members have personal histories that cause them to be related to slavery in diverse ways. Chairman Goodwin has every confidence that this Commission will be strong and effective as a team not only because of the similarities but because of the differences in the members' backgrounds and outlooks. What the Commission accomplishes will not only be self-satisfying but a credit to the people of Maryland.

Chairman Goodwin received an email that Senator Nathaniel J. McFadden would either be late or unable to attend today's meeting. Dr. Iris Carter Ford was also absent. Next, the Chairman acknowledged Earlean Poe Burns, wife of Delegate Burns.

Briefing on Work of the Slavery Task Force

Chairman Goodwin said that the legislation establishing this task force also established a firm deadline for a report to be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly and at which time the task force would cease to exist. The members of the task force realized they could not complete this work by the established date. The task force could submit a report, but there are many things in the State of Maryland that could engage a similar group permanently. The members felt that if they simply did a task and said the work was done, that there would be a feeling that slavery is settled in the State of Maryland as far as government is concerned, and they didn't want that to happen.

Chairman Goodwin reported that the task force had a timeline and no budget, so it worked at a disadvantage. He also noted that the Legislation establishing this Commission went through the Maryland Senate unanimously and with one negative vote in the Maryland House of Delegates.

With the luxury of being a permanent Commission, Dr. Goodwin said perhaps some things the task force was interested in might drop away and some other things will arise. Dr. Papenfuse is already moving ahead to get the task force report placed on the web. As this proceeds, Chairman Goodwin invited the members of the Commission to go into the task force report and make known any editorial changes that need to be made. Chairman Goodwin asked the Commission members for their comments on the task force report in the next couple of weeks.

Dr. Goodwin stated that when he and Mr. Little were busy last fall talking about who should be on the Commission, Dr. Goodwin had occasion to write Mr. Little a confidential memo dated October 31. At this time, Dr. Goodwin shared an excerpt from that memo as follows:

"By specifying that the State Archivist and Director of the Maryland Historical Trust would be members of the Commission, I guaranteed that diversity and scholarship were made inherent. Work needs to be done to get beyond myths and bring people from throughout Maryland together to address the wrongs of slavery that were and the wrongs of slavery that linger in the form of institutionalized racism. The hurt and societal dysfunction that linger in slavery's wake are disproportionately found in working-class inner city and rural African American communities and it needs to be dealt with in part by scholars and in part by people engaged in direct but sensitive hands-on work among African Americans, including especially among youth. It obviously is not necessary, nor even desirable, that all the other commissioners be of one race or ethnicity but they should be sensitive to problems in African American life that flow directly and indirectly from slavery.

"The fact that in the mandated composition for the Commission, the number of sociologists/anthropologists and representatives of African American organizations is double the number of historians speaks to this intent. If Maryland creates a Commission on Slavery whose 'Ivy Tower' members cannot relate in a sensitive and personal way with black youth in particular, I believe that it will have failed and the Commission will be a mockery.

"I do not view service on the Commission as a plum for any individual in particular, including myself, but rather an unprecedented mechanism by which a state, in this case the State of Maryland, can address major societal problems that have a direct relationship to the slave and subsequent Jim Crow experience.

"With respect to slavery, black people need to be in dialog with others, but not in a way that others are in a position to talk down to them, and especially about slavery.

"I trust you will keep these concerns and sensitivities in mind.

# "Although the work of the Task Force can serve us well as a foundation on which to build, in the final analysis, the work of this commission must be guided by our legislative mandate. While that mandate is a direct reflection of the sense of the Task Force, it is less explicit and more modest the curriculum development area. Although our very next agenda item will have to do with what this commission wishes to be its priorities both in a long-term and short sense, I would have to make the following general observation. As I read our mandate, our commission is mandated to exercise some responsibility in each of the following general areas: (1) networking, (2) seeking support for certain types of initiatives, (3) pressing for public and private funding in certain areas, (4) identification and monitoring of certain resources, (5) advising the Governor and General Assembly on commemoration of certain things, (6) monitoring (and perhaps by inference) to contributing to research on certain things -- historical, social, and psychological, (7) oversight with regard to tourism and the equitable allocation of state funds to minority businesses and institutions operating in this area. This overview is bare bones and in no way exhaustive. Before we move on to the next agenda item of priorities in which I hope everyone will contribute, I do want to pause to see if there are any questions on my comments?"

As far as funding is concerned, Delegate Burns questioned whether the Commission could make a request to the General Assembly for those funds. Dr. Papenfuse advised that after reading the report of the task force, the Archives put in its budget for a Senior Reference Associate to manage research, which was approved for the next fiscal year. Some of this money will be used to fund two interns this summer for research. Ms. Smith questioned whether staff is dedicated staff, and Dr. Papenfuse answered in the affirmative.

Mr. Little reported that he was unsuccessful in getting the funds he requested in this year's budget. However, for activities in the purview of his agency, i.e., historic sites, preservation, archaeology and tourism, the Commission could seek funds through his budget or directly through Chairman Goodwin to the Secretary of Budget and Management, Eloise Foster. Having funds in either Dr. Papenfuse's or Mr. Little's budgets means their agency's financial officers are responsible for monitoring these funds. Because we are currently in the budget cycle, it is an issue that has to be dealt with fairly soon -- late-August or September is probably too late. Further, Mr. Little said to the extent the Commission is dealing with history, it makes sense to work through either his or Dr. Papenfuse's budget, since Dr. Papenfuse has historians on his staff and Mr. Little has archaeologists. But looking at the contemporary effects of slavery is not in the expertise of Dr. Papenfuse's or Mr. Little's professional staff. Since he does not think a State agency with this expertise exists, Mr. Little recommended the Commission seek dedicated funding. Mr. Little also recommended that in the short-run the Commission needs to decide for next year what its highest priorities are that require money. From that point, where to put it will be fairly obvious. Dr. Goodwin questioned the possibility of having a budget initially through the Archives but allowing the budget to reflect some needs in other areas. Dr. Papenfuse said it is possible but something he needs to discuss with Mr. Little.

Dr. Christian referred to the following mandate in Senate Bill 854, "There needs to be an entity in Maryland that will keep the State informed of the latest research on the lingering psychological, sociological, and economic impacts of slavery and its legacy, including the impact on crime and crime control." He stated if the Commission cannot secure funding within the existing structure, it seems logical that it has to be done some other way.

Ms. Callum suggested the Commission put money in the budget for oral research. She is the last generation to have known a slave, in fact, Ms. Callum knew more than one. She said if the Commission does not document this history now, it is going to be lost.

Chairman Goodwin said that when talking about money, members should be addressing the priorities of the Commission which is one of the most important issues to focus on today, then the budget might fall into place.

At this time, Dr. Papenfuse took the Commission to ecpclio.net. He advised that scanned images of Civil War muster rolls, the originals of which are huge and in terrible shape, are just one of many resources being brought on-line and will be made available for the public to use via the world wide web. Dr. Papenfuse demonstrated this web site to the Commission, advising them what the muster rolls are and showing them an example. Unfortunately, Dr. Small's provost turned her down for funding to continue this work. However, Dr. Small is going to again request release of those funds. The estimate to put this whole series on-line is $25,000.

Next, Dr. Papenfuse showed the Commission Ms. Callum's work regarding bounty papers. Using these records, you get all of the information about the bounty paid for an African American soldier who was free, or what was paid to the master who owned the slave. All of the names Ms. Callum found are searchable on this site.

Dr. Papenfuse introduced the Commission to the Queen Anne's County Court Manumission Records, 1793-1851. This site is also searchable by the name, as the handwritten documents have been transcribed.

Dr. Papenfuse showed the Commission the Archives of Maryland site. This resource site gets more than 38 million hits per year. From this site, you can access the Slavery Commission list of members, as well as some of the materials the Archives has mounted to date. The Archives hopes to add many resources in the near future. For example, the 7th Regiment Infantry muster rolls should be linked to geographical and biographical information about the soldiers. Mr. Hynson added that there should also be a link from the muster rolls to the pension files. Another volume the Archives recently added to this site is an electronic version of Slave Statistics of St. Mary's County, Maryland, by Agnes Callum.

Next, Dr. Papenfuse showed the Commission the Freedom Records of Prince George's County. Dr. Papenfuse advised that the interns will be continuing work to complete Index 38 this summer.

He went on to mention that one of the standard sources in dealing with the Underground Railroad is William Stiles' Underground Railroad, which has been scanned and will be available on the Slavery Commission's web site next week. Dr. Papenfuse demonstrated how to use it. Dr. Small added that there are only three copies in libraries in the State of Maryland. Mr. Haley took the Commission to a rough draft of the Underground Railroad project proposal. In demonstrating citations on this site, Mr. Haley advised the Commission that the Archives is officially recognized by the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

According to Dr. Papenfuse, these are just a sample of research projects that need to be done. Sometimes help from outside private sources is needed. Additionally, Dr. Papenfuse purchased a copy of the William and Mary Quarterly for the Commission. He directed their attention to an article by Lorena Walsh (a Marylander). Dr. Papenfuse also mentioned that a fine review of Dr. Berlin's book, Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in North America, was in The Journal of Southern History.

Ms. Squires advised the Commission that two highly recommended student interns have been selected for this project. Dana Sutton has just finished her junior year at Morgan State University. Jamal Booker is a 2001 graduate of Morehouse College. Ms. Sutton and Mr. Booker will be working with a technical lead, Megan Meyer, who was an intern at the Archives last year. Ms. Meyer, a 2001 graduate of Boston College, created the on-line finding aid to Index 38, the Prince George's County Freedom Records. Ms. Meyer is a computer science major. With the Commission's approval, Ms. Squires will invite the interns to give a presentation of what they have done over the summer at the next meeting.

After such an interesting presentation by Dr. Papenfuse, Dr. Christian said he is somewhat confused about the priorities of the Commission. The process of making a slave was followed by the dismantling of that process. The dismantling of that process was to provide equality. There is still the dismantling of slavery taking place today and until there is equality, that process continues. Once we separate it, we have done a major injustice to the mandate. Dr. Christian continued that Ms. Callum raised the notion of an oral history. We are still talking about the process. Dr. Christian said that all of what we said reinforces that it is seamless, and he is having difficulty trying to prioritize doing history without understanding legacy. Dr. Christian sees himself as a product of slavery, and he also sees, if he looks hard enough, that there are plantations in our cities. While Dr. Christian supports the research going on, he would like to see more focus on the lasting effects of slavery in today's world

Dr. Goodwin stated that the Commission supports the research aspect. We cannot build on a poor foundation. He mentioned that individual committees can focus on various aspects of the Commission and report back to the Commission as a whole.

Although a late-comer to the process, Dr. Berlin shared a few thoughts with the Commission. He read the mission statement and listened to concerns in the past that the history of slavery and unearthing of that history is an enormous task. As a kind of general phenomenon, there is probably more interest in the history of slavery in the beginning of the 21st century than in January of 1863. The question of race is not only a concern of black or white people, but all Americans. We are struggling with it very uncomfortably.

In dealing with the question of slavery, we are dealing with a great contemporary subject. We have been asked to address issues without a budget. This is an enormous task and there are many things to do from dealing with the past, present and future. Dr. Berlin suggests that the Commission not try to do everything, but pick one, two or perhaps three tasks. For example, maybe a budget would be provided for developing a curriculum for school children. Dr. Berlin suggested that the Commission identify a couple of things that are possible to do, that the Commission has the skills and abilities to do, rather than being overwhelmed by this large task being put in front of it with this extraordinary mandate.

Chairman Goodwin suggested targeting some areas in terms of research, our monitoring function, possibly in terms of our networking function, and in terms of our legacy that are fairly specific. When you are asking for money, you have a responsibility and he hopes the Commission will come out with an annual report before the General Assembly. Also, he would like to draw the Commission's attention to the fact that there are other commissions which do not have our mission but might have some areas of overlap. The Commission might want to look at what they are doing, and bring in consultants in areas where there is not experience on the Commission to pursue certain initiatives.

Ms. Smith agreed with Dr. Berlin and the Chairman's comments, i.e. the mission and mandate of the Commission are huge, and it cannot expect to accomplish everything in one or two years. The Commission needs to determine what it can accomplish in the short term, as well as set long-term goals for the future. Ms. Smith is particularly interested in making sure that we engage other people in this dialogue, including support for people to begin to talk about slavery and its impact in contemporary times. This dialogue might help the Commission determine what its priorities might be next year. Also, we need to make sure information is available to the public in a variety of ways, e.g. Internet, museum.

Delegate Burns was thoroughly impressed with Dr. Papenfuse's presentation and how through technology we can bring things together and make them live. However, we cannot neglect the slaves who went to jail for phony charges, and the individuals today who are still going to jail for bad charges. His major concern is how to make these inconsistencies live so people can see and understand them. We need to look at this mission and be sure all parts of it are covered in our work here and break new ground in these areas.

Mr. Hynson stated that Commission needs to address the problem of preservation, the area of oral and written history that is going to be lost, interpretation of the materials and, once interpreted, how they are going to be disseminated.

Priorities in terms of Mr. Little's agency concern dealing with historical sites, places where slavery existed. The task force report identified a need to better recognize and preserve these sites. We should pursue the compilation of a good inventory of sites related to slavery and the Underground Railroad. We must also ask of those identified to date, which ones are designated for preservation, which are available to the public, and which ones are in private hands. Once this inventory is compiled, we can identify gaps.

Mr. Ridout added that he would like to speak to the public about the use of architectural history as a resource and to teach what we can learn from the built environment. If the Commission is going to take a message to the public, it must find a way to filter out a rational continuum of explanation. He encouraged the Commission to look for a way to select vignettes that make sense out of a very complex picture.

Mr. Haley felt the Commission needs to think hard about what it wants to pursue, i.e., research of criminal records, how many African Americans were in the first war? Mr. Haley agreed with Ms. Callum's recommendation to begin documenting by video taping oral history.

Chairman Goodwin confirmed with the Commission members that everyone has an email address. He stated that some of this discussion could probably continue unofficially by email. The Commission cannot afford to let the August window regarding the budget pass. It is his desire to set up a subgroup to look at some of the social research and suggest to the Commission research issues, at which time the whole Commission should reconvene to put a stamp of approval on it and make the August budget deadline. If the Commission is going to make a budget request to the State, Chairman Goodwin asked for a sense of what it could reasonably ask for and expect to get.

Dr. Papenfuse responded that the Archives has a baseline budget for research-related activities of $88,000. The largest portion of funds is for a Senior Research Specialist. The remaining budget is roughly $40,000. The Archives is committed to using about $3,700 each for the three interns this summer. Therefore, the Commission can request $88,000 without difficulty, and it needs to move beyond that.

Dr. Papenfuse advised that Maryland Public Television has a $10 million grant to focus on the Underground Railroad. He has encouraged Messrs. Haley and Hynson to explore interagency work on this project. Additionally, if the Commission needs consultant work done, money should be included in the budget for a report to the Commission. The Archives is in the midst of submitting its budget request, and Dr. Papenfuse is ready to add to the $88,000 request. Delegate Burns asked if the $88,000 is new money for this fiscal year, and Dr. Papenfuse responded that it is the first time request for money for this fiscal year beginning on July 1. Dr. Papenfuse further explained that none of the Commission's money was used in what he demonstrated earlier in the meeting, and he is not asking for funds.

Mr. Little said he is willing to devote staff resources to the extent the Commission is interested in dealing with historic sites. If the Commission comes up with a specific project it wants to take on that falls into one of Mr. Little's categories (historical sites, preservation, archaeology and tourism), he is willing to devote some grant money ($20,000-$25,000) to a project within the next year.

Dr. Berlin and Dr. Papenfuse proposed the following dates to plan commemoration events:

1. abolition of slavery in Maryland under Maryland's Constitution of November 1, 1864;
2. ratification of the 13th Amendment by Maryland, February 3, 1865;
3. ratification of the 14th Amendment, April 4, 1959 in Maryland, national date is July 9, 1868;
4. ratification of the 15th Amendment, May 7, 1973 in Maryland, national date is February 3, 1870, Maryland Parade date is May 19, 1870.

In mid-fall, Ms. Smith will begin the public relations campaign for the museum opening. She has begun, in a small way, to co-sponsor events with other African American museums and institutions. Ms. Smith has the ability to do some PR, marketing and programming. There are opportunities for Ms. Smith to assist the Commission in co-sponsoring events, as well as in publications.

Chairman Goodwin noted that the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture annually celebrates a Martin Luther King event in January and this Commission might similarly wish to annually commemorate certain events.

Dr. Christian recently attended a meeting of the National Council for Social Studies in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that focused on the burning of Greenwood. There has been a lot of effort to bring the state and Tulsa together to investigate what really occurred. Dr. Christian suggested that the Commission look again beyond itself and the State of Maryland about what it can do well.

When thinking about the budget, Dr. Berlin urged the Commission to think about staff and how a staff can be helpful in the work of the Commission. Dr. Papenfuse said it is easier to get staff regarding celebratory events. The Commission will be at a disadvantage if the Archives asks for a huge increase above the $88,000. Ms. Small questioned the possibility of getting funds from the National Park Service.

In order to have enough time to submit a budget, Chairman Goodwin suggested another Commission meeting in the second week of August. Commission members can expect to be polled. Dr. Papenfuse suggested that Eloise Foster be invited to attend the next meeting to participate in discussions and hear what the Commission has to say. Ms. Foster took a specific interest in this Commission in the past.

# Operating Procedures

Chairman Goodwin stated that the Commission would operate as a small committee system reporting to the Commission as a whole.

# Organizational Structure and Division of Labor

Chairman Goodwin is happy to share the division of labor. He expects as people get to know the Commission, there will be invitations to give speeches. As those requests come in, they will, of course, be made known to all members of the Commission. We will work with ways to have a division of labor that works for us. Since we are a permanent Commission, it is appropriate that we have bylaws but nothing complex. We might want to look at similar commissions' bylaws and come up with some proposals we think will work for us. Chairman Goodwin will be soliciting bylaws from a couple other commissions. He will ask Commission members to work as an ad hoc committee and hopefully, a draft of the bylaws will be distributed to Commission members before the next meeting.

# Budgetary Needs and Timelines

Chairman Goodwin advised that budgetary needs and timelines will be an on-going consideration.

# Facilities, Staffing, Address, Telephone, Web Page

Chairman Goodwin prefers that the Commission have a street address. Since by State mandate the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland State Archives staff this Commission, he suggested that the Commission use the address of the Maryland State Archives. Dr. Papenfuse was in agreement. Additionally, Dr. Papenfuse advised that the Archives owns mdslavery.net. Dr. Papenfuse offered this web address to the Commission. He also suggested posting a chronology of slavery that would be part of this on-going web site. Delegate Burns and Dr. Christian would like to see the title of the web address a bit broader, something more diversified. Chairman Goodwin asked Delegate Burns and Dr. Christian to come back at the next Commission meeting with suggestions for a web address, but in the meantime Dr. Papenfuse will use mdslavery.net.

Regarding a dedicated telephone line for the Commission, Dr. Papenfuse said he would check to see if the Archives had an available line. At the moment, Dr. Papenfuse said the Commission has a web page off the Maryland Manual which simply describes what the Commission is but does not convey its message.

Chairman Goodwin raised the subject of stationery, and Dr. Papenfuse said he wold work with the Chairman on stationery. The Chairman reminded Delegate Burns and Dr. Christian to get back to the Commission on a domain name so it could be included on the stationery.

# Tentative Meeting Schedule

Chairman Goodwin reiterated that the meeting of the Commission will take place the second week in August.

General Issues (interfacing with the public, communications, etc.)

Chairman Goodwin advised the Commission members that it will be easy to stay in contact via email as he will be out of the country from June 11 to July 12.

Since this is a public Commission, Chairman Goodwin believes the meeting should be advertised in the Maryland Register.

Mr. Little stated that there is ample parking at his facility and a conference room that holds 250 people if the Commission wants to meet at the Maryland Historical Trust. Dr. Berlin also offered the University of Maryland as a future meeting place of the Commission.

Chairman Goodwin is happy to have two members on the Commission from College Park and four institutions of higher education.

At this time, Chairman Goodwin opened the meeting for new business or other items the Commission members may want to raise. There being none, Chairman Goodwin congratulated the Commission on a successful first meeting. He advised the members that he would be contacting some of them to ask that they take on special projects.

There being no further business to discuss, Delegate Burns offered a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. which was seconded by Dr. Small and unanimously approved, the Chairman concurring.

Approved by the Commission to Coordinate the Study, Commemoration, and Impact of Slavery's History and Legacy in Maryland, August 7, 2001.