Kneading in Silence: A Glimpse into the Life of the Enslaved Cook Judah

This 30-minute presentation discusses the life of Judah, a woman enslaved at Belle Grove Plantation who was the Hite family’s cook at the time of her death in 1836. Rare primary source documents reveal insights about her and her family’s life.  

The program takes place in the winter kitchen of the Belle Grove Manor House (enter under the front porch).

This program is free of charge, though donations are appreciated. Regular admission applies to tour the Manor House before the program (at 1:15) or after the program (at 3:15 or on Sundays at 4:15). Purchase admission to tour the Manor House in the Welcome Center upon arrival.

The program will be presented on these dates: 

• Friday, March 29, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Friday, April 26, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Friday, May 31, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Sunday June 2, 3:30-4 p.m.
• Friday, June 28, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Sunday July 7, 3:30 -4 p.m.
• Friday, July 26, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Sunday August 4, 3:30 -4 p.m.
• Friday, August 30, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Sunday September 1, 3:30 -4 p.m.
• Friday, September 27, 2:30-3 p.m.
• Sunday October 13, 3:30 -4 p.m. 
• Friday, October 25, 2:30-3 p.m.

This compelling program, which has been offered since 2016, inspired an historical novel by Dr. Brian C. Johnson, Send Judah First: The Erased Life of an Enslaved Soul published in August 2019  by Hidden Shelf Publishing House. It is available on Amazon. The cover art by Megan Whitfield is a pastel rendering of what Judah may have looked like.