Uncovering Complex History at the Marietta House Museum: A Day of Reflection and Learning

September 24, 2024

Khepra Peterkin

The Gathering Place- Capitol Heights Campus

Learning Guide

It was a beautiful, sunny fall day in Glenn Dale, Maryland, when I had the privilege of taking three of our girls, who are self-studying for the AP African American Studies exam, to the Marietta House Museum. As the sun filtered through the trees and warmed the grounds, I couldn’t help but feel excited about the day ahead. At The Gathering Place, our City as Classroom days are some of my favorite moments, where learning moves beyond the classroom and takes root in the world around us.

The Gathering Place is a micro school and homeschool collective located in Prince George’s County. I first met its charismatic leader, Nadine, at a co-working space for Black women entrepreneurs. From the moment we began talking, I was captivated by her vision for this revolutionary model of education—one that centers Black girls in a way that both nurtures their academic skills and the whole girl: her voice, her confidence, and her brilliance. Nadine spoke about microschooling and reimagining education as something far more holistic, where students not only excel academically but are empowered to connect deeply with themselves and the world. This wasn’t just another school. It was a movement, and I was immediately drawn in. As a Learning Guide at The Gathering Place, I’m constantly reminded of how transformative this approach can be.

Growing up, I never had an opportunity like this. I used to hate history because it felt disconnected from my real life—it was just pages of facts in a textbook. But now, seeing how our City as Classroom model allows students to engage directly with history, I often find myself wishing I’d had this experience when I was younger.

The Marietta House Museum visit was a perfect example of this kind of learning in action. The museum, once home to Judge Gabriel Duvall, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, revealed the complexity of American history. Duvall publicly opposed slavery, yet privately enslaved people on his estate. This contradiction became a focal point for our discussions, prompting the girls to wrestle with questions about morality, power, and justice.

As we explored the museum, many important topics emerged. The girls reflected on the proximity of Maryland to the slaveholding South, despite its status as a border state, and how this shaped the nation's history. One of our students made an insightful connection between the Dred Scott decision and Duvall’s own role in a legal system that upheld racial oppression. We also discussed the concept of Freedom Prints, imagining the courage and resilience of enslaved people who sought to escape, navigating the delicate balance between slavery and freedom in states like Maryland. These discussions allowed our students to grapple with the complexities of history in ways that a textbook alone never could.

What impressed me most was how each of the three girls personalized the experience. One was captivated by the legal and ethical dilemmas of Duvall’s position as a judge, while another focused on the lives and resistance of the enslaved people on his estate. The third girl was particularly interested in the geographical significance of Maryland in the context of slavery and freedom. This individualized approach is central to what we do at The Gathering Place. Our goal is to empower students to explore their own curiosities, ask difficult questions, and engage deeply with the world around them.

After the visit, each girl will work on a personalized, project-based follow-up assignment based on her specific area of interest. Whether she chooses to dive deeper into the legal implications of Duvall’s decisions, research the stories of resistance from enslaved people, or explore Maryland’s geographical significance, their projects will reflect their unique perspectives and deepened understanding of history. This kind of personalized instruction and real-world connection is exactly why The Gathering Place is redefining education.

The visit to the Marietta House reflects the core values of our work. Sure the learners will have to spend many hours reading and writing essays and preparing for their AP test. But we know learning is not just about memorization and a test—it’s about developing the critical thinking skills needed to understand and navigate the complexities of the world. Through experiences like this, our students develop a deep understanding of history, a passion for justice, and the confidence to become leaders in their communities.