In November, ninth-grade students participated in a field trip with their Exploration of Global Issues class. They walked the Richmond Slave Trail, toured the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and visited the Black History Museum and Cultural Center. The trip was part of a larger unit on the African Diaspora. Upper School Social Studies Teachers Sarah Dwelle, James Haske, and Jalyn Wheatley organized the outing. They were joined by Melissa Calkins (associate director of college counseling), Crystal Hamlin (Middle/Upper School librarian), Tiffany Goodman (diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator), Rashad Lowery (campus life and community stewardship coordinator), and Khadijah Luqman (associate director of college counseling).

A Moving Experience
“Field trips like this show the relevance of the topics students learn about in the classroom and allow them to engage with issues on a deeper level,” said Mrs. Dwelle. As students walked along the Richmond Slave Trail, they stopped at historical markers and learned about the city of Richmond, both past and present. “The most impactful location for many was the site of Lumpkin’s Jail, known as ‘the Devil’s half acre,’ where enslaved people were imprisoned before being sold,” noted Mrs. Dwelle.

Caleb Morrison ’26 said, “When you learn about the slave trade in school you can get an idea of what people went through, but to [walk] the same path … allowed me to … see a glimpse of what it would be like to be scared, cold, and know you will never have your life back.”

Dante Castle ’26 was struck by the fact that, until recently, a parking lot had been built on top of the graves of some of Richmond’s first citizens, “including Gabriel from Gabriel’s Rebellion,” he said. “I do not understand how people could cover up such an important [part of] Virginia history with concrete.”

Art, History, and Changemakers
At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, students analyzed the “Rumors of War” statue by Kehinde Wiley and considered its place in the changing landscape of Richmond monuments. At the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, students viewed artifacts important to the city’s history and learned about historical events through interactive displays. 

Mrs. Dwelle said, “We believe it is important for students to know that the issues they see in the United States and in Richmond related to race and racial justice are part of a broader global conversation.” She added, “After the past two years, we are grateful for opportunities to take students off campus and into the community. We want them to grow as changemakers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.”

View the Steward Snaps from the field trip.