The Gate: The Story of America’s First Contraband Community

Discover history through film: A special screening and conversation with filmmaker Laura Seltzer-Duny and The Contraband Historical Society. Join us for a powerful conversation with Laura as she shares behind-the-scenes insights from her upcoming documentary. Learn about her journey bringing together black and white descendants, visiting the historic Brooks cemetery in Mathews, and uncovering the untold story of the first Contraband families.

The event will feature a screening of the trailer and selected clips, offering a glimpse into the lives of the formerly enslaved Africans who sought refuge behind Union lines during the Civil War – and the resilient community they built in Hampton, Virginia. This is a story of courage, kinship, and legacy you won’t want to miss. https://contrabandhistoricalsociety.com/thegatefilm.html