"How is it we hear the loudest yelps for liberty from the drivers of Negroes?" (Samuel Johnson) In the shadow of Independence Hall, where the words "We the People" were first penned, stood the executive mansion of George Washington. But while the first President was establishing the traditions of American democracy, he was also orchestrating a secret scheme to circumvent Pennsylvania’s abolition laws and maintain his hold on nine enslaved human beings.

In this series premiere of the "Our Story", host Missy Rentz sits down with John Garrison Marks, author of “Black Freedom in the age of Slavery: Race, Status, and Identity in the Urban Americas.” and the forthcoming book, “Black Freedom in the age of Slavery: Race, Status, and Identity in the Urban Americas.”

In this episode, we explore:

• The President’s House: The "hidden" history of the executive mansion in Philadelphia and why it remains a pivotal site in the National Park system.
• Washington’s Dichotomy: How the man who famously set 123 people free in his will also spent his life actively undermining the freedom of others.
• The Current Conflict: A candid discussion on the recent 2026 executive orders removing slavery-related exhibits from national parks and how citizens are protesting by "bringing the history back" themselves.

About Our Guest

John Garrison Marks is the author of Black Freedom in the Age of Slavery and the upcoming Thy Will Be Done: George Washington’s Legacy of Slavery and the Fight for American Memory (April 2026). He serves as the VP of Research and Engagement at the American Association for State and Local History.

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