National Expansion & Reform
Slavery
Enslaved Labor at Government Island Quarry
Enslaved Labor at Government Island Quarry
Over 220 year-old pick marks are still visible where Federal-era immigrant stone-cutters and enslaved workers cut and moved the Aquia sandstone from Government Island quarry to build the President’s House and U.S. Capitol in D.C., as well as many public and private buildings throughout the new nation. Sprinkled throughout the county were other stone quarries which also used enslaved labor. (Photo: Lou Cordero, Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)