Significance and Audience

The significance of enclaves like Hayti are beyond the lavish estates of wealthy merchants. We have many preserved places in Alexandria that celebrate the elite, upper class of the pre- and post-colonial era. To represent the common people there is only the 1772 Murray-Dick-Fawcett house that has been preserved because it stayed in the same family for almost 200 years. “It is not a grand house, like John Carlyle’s. But it is the least altered house that survives.” [1] We tend to preserve and extol the one percent. It is time to change, most of us are in the 99%. Time to think about what our lives would have been like.

African Americans in this era were faced with insurmountable obstacles and hardships. And yet, there were those that persevered and others that thrived. They made choices to reach upward and strive to better their circumstances. We must uncover the silences in the narrative of our history.

I believe that anyone could be interested in this area’s rich history. Diving deeper, I believe that local Alexandrians, as well as the larger African American population could experience the depth and pride of learning about the history of Hayti. Being a tourist town, many Americans and foreign visitors tour our town and thus can be exposed to this rich part of American history. Recognition of Hayti
is an important part of our heritage and shows the world that we value all aspects and all the people who built our city. These are all our ancestors whether by blood or by association, Alexandrians all. We celebrate Alexandrians.