Freedom Park in Williamsburg, Virginia

At first glance, Freedom Park seems like simply a peaceful escape into nature. Mountain bikers weave through miles of trails. Families picnic beneath pine trees. Birdsong replaces traffic. But if you look closer, you'll discover there’s much more to the site than playgrounds and hiking paths. It was home to one of the earliest known free Black settlements in colonial Virginia. The community’s origins trace back to the early 19th century , when, upon death, plantation owner William Ludwell Lee freed his enslaved workers and granted them tracts of land on his property. From 1803 through 1860, fa

This story was reported by Atlas Obscura - Latest Articles and Places. EUROPES curates Europe's most relevant coverage — read the full report at the original source.