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Our Vision
To establish a museum complex to foster better race relations through living history and creative and performing arts venues, which will encourage understanding of the Contraband Slaves and their efforts toward creating a moral, spiritual and unified community.

Mission
The Contraband Historical Society is an organization of concerned citizens, whose mission is to research, preserve and promote the history, legacy, and contributions of the slaves, who were considered “Contraband of War.” They were liberated on May 24, 1861 at Fortress Monroe, Virginia by Commanding Officer Major General Benjamin F. Butler. Butler’s far-reaching gesture prompted thousands of slaves to run to Hampton to Fort Monroe to get behind Union lines and join in the Union’s war effort in exchange for their liberation. As a result, Fort Monroe became known as “Freedom’s Fortress”.

Contraband Slaves

Three slaves Shepherd Mallory, Frank Baker, and James Townsend, belonging to Charles King Mallory appeared before Major General Benjamin F. Butler, Post Commander of Fortress Monroe. Major General Butler determined them to be “Contraband of War,” since the Southerners referred to them as property.