This project began as Nicole Piepenbrink’s thesis research, in the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Critical Conservation program. Nicole collaborated with members of the Racial Justice Group at Christ Church Cambridge during the Spring 2022 semester. In May, Nicole submitted her thesis paper along with a public art proposal.
The research and development process was guided, informed, and enriched by:
- Thesis advisors Krzysztof Wodiczko, Susan Nigra Snyder, and George E. Thomas
- Critical Conservation Associate Stephanie Yuhl and Doctor of Design Research Critic Boya Guo
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The Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Student Grant Program
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Informal advising and help from many others, including Kathryn Abarbanel, Wesley Cornwell, and Brian Lambert
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A number of Harvard professors and classmates
HERE LIES DARBY VASSALL builds on the work of many local churches, institutions, and organizations researching and sharing the history of slavery:
Cambridge Historical Commission︎︎︎
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts︎︎︎
First Church in Cambridge Congregational, UCC︎︎︎
History Cambridge︎︎︎
King’s Chapel︎︎︎
Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters︎︎︎
Museum of African American History︎︎︎
Old North Church︎︎︎
Presidential Initiative on Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery︎︎︎
The Royall House and Slave Quarters︎︎︎
Trinity Church Boston︎︎︎
In October 2021, Alden Fossett (Kellogg Fellow at the Harvard Episcopal Chaplaincy) gave a sermon about Darby Vassall at Christ Church, informing most parishioners for the first time about his presence in the Vassall Tomb. Alden followed with another sermon in March 2022 focusing on Darby Vassall’s mother, Cuba.