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| A family of former African American slaves arranging transportation to the North on the Aquia Line. From here they will board a steamship to Washington, DC. |
This particular model scene is based on this prototype image taken in 1863. The prototype image shows several African Americans who are most probably former slaves now working for the USMRR. The USMRR hired hundreds of African Americans to work on the railroad. My scene depicts some of the 10,000 former slaves that used the Aquia Line to escape to freedom standing in front of the same building.
The Provost Marshal in the civil war were the equivalent of military police of today. They controlled passenger access to the USMRR as well as performing many of the other traditional duties of the military police.
The Aquia Landing portion of my layout is far from being complete. I still have a lot of work to do to finish it. But this image shows the potential of the area. I think it will be the signature scene on the railroad when it is finished..
One of the biggest jobs yet remaining is completion of the several ship models that will frequent the harbor. I have several ship models in various stages of construction. Plus, Brion Boyles is building a schooner for me. Hopefully, we will get a chance to finish these soon.
Great scene, Bernie. A Joy to watch you model the Aquia Line so accurate! Keep up the good work ;)
ReplyDeleteGrtz, Ronald. Î
I know you have been talking about this project/structure for some time but the finished work is wonderful. The scene will present questions to visitors about the intersection between slavery and African American history and how both were key driving forces in the larger cultural evolution of the American Civil War. And also how we are still interpreting these events in 2022. What do the signs say?
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