The Getting Word African American Oral History Project preserves the histories of Monticello’s enslaved families and their descendants. It is an initiative of the International Center for Jefferson Studies.
Through over 200 interviews with participants and countless hours of research, remarkable stories have emerged to form an archive of freedom.
Support for Getting Word
The Getting Word African American Oral History Project and Getting Word Promise Grant Program is supported by Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities: American Rescue Plan, Luck Companies Foundation, Duane Hughes, Jonathan and Sonja Hoel Perkins, Catherine J. Lewis, Richard H. Lewis, and many generous donors. We also extend our gratitude to supporters of the Getting Word and Getting Word Promise Grant Endowments.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support Getting Word, please contact the Development Office at give@monticello.org | 434.984.9820.
How do I get in contact with Getting Word?
Getting Word staff is available Monday through Friday during museum hours. Contact us via the form in the footer.
How can I stay connected?
You can follow our work on our website or on Facebook.
How can I get started on my own family history research?
There are a variety of online tools that can help you build your family tree and start your research. Online platform FamilySearch provides research tips and hints for information collected in your family tree. FamilySearch has also developed a helpful guide on researching African American families in VA. You can access it on their website by clicking this link.