A slave belonging to Sarah Howes (1823-1901), used this basket at the Georgetown market. Lawrence Parks, a slave who functioned as Arlington’s “market man,” may have used a similar basket.

Marketing was an important economic and social activity for people who lived on plantations, particularly slaves who might otherwise have had little contact with others. Slaves from one estate may have met and developed relationships with slaves from other plantations. News and information was communicated this way. Money was made from the sale of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Funds were raised through the sale of flowers for the American Colonization Society.

Wood. H 38.8, Dia 34.4 cm
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, ARHO 2101