The Day is Past and Gone: A Trilogy of Slave Life at Poplar Forest

Local African American playwright Teresa Harris’ original trilogy about slave life at Poplar Forest returns to Mr. Jefferson’s retreat home with new stories—for one performance only. Drawn from real-life experiences, the trilogy explores the complex lives lived by the enslaved men and women of Poplar Forest including Hannah and her son Billy, who pushed back on the system of enslavement; Nace Hubbard, who had to some degree, learned how to make the system of slavery work more favorably for him, but faced opposition from his fellow slaves; and Phil Hubbard, who appealed directly to Thomas Jefferson in his struggle to maintain his rights to live under the same roof as his wife. A Q & A with the playwright, actors and representatives of the Poplar Forest Department of Archaeology and Landscapes will follow the last vignette. Bring your friends and family—and a picnic dinner and a blanket or chairs—and experience a part of Poplar Forest’s history brought to life.