Poetry and History at Marietta House

Marietta House Museum, an historic plantation in Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA, recently enlisted the help of poets to imagine An Unfinished Revolution as the USA prepares for its 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.

Given the history of slavery at Marietta, staff asked the poets to tour the property and then to write about what they learned, felt or imagined. The kickoff writing workshop on July 12, 2025 was facilitated by members of Voices of Woodlawn, a creative collective that showcases poetry, music and artwork focused on America's tragic history of slavery and its current day consequences. Larew founded Voices of Woodlawn.

The picture shows some of the poets writing in Marietta House's kitchen where slaves once prepared food for the owner's household.

Over the coming weeks and months, the poets' work will be showcased in the Museum's monthly newsletters as well as in a planned poetry collection.

Thanks to the staff of the Marietta House for this historic opportunity to feature poetry during the commemoration of the country's 250th anniversary.