MORRISON COUNTY RECORD — Minnesota is not immune from the impacts of slavery in America. Despite its northern location, it was a participant in the slave economy of the United States from its time as a territory in the 1840s and early 50s through investments by southern slaveholders in real estate, business and institutions across the state.
“Slaveholders and Real Estate in Minnesota,” an online course to be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, will explore how Minnesota’s development as a territory and early years as a state were influenced by the wealth derived from slave labor. Taught by Christopher P. Lehman, Professor of Ethnic, Gender and Women’s Studies at St. Cloud State University, this class will examine the role of slaveholders and their wealth on Minnesota. The class will uncover how southern enslavers were encouraged by prominent local citizens to invest in the fledgling state and will expose the web of connections tying the state’s development to southern slavery.
General admission for the class is $10, though it is offered at a pay-what-you- can-rate. The recommended text is Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State by Christopher P. Lehman.
Read more: Online course examines historic relationship between Minnesota real estate and slave economy
